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Japanese Journal of Ophthalmology
Published in: Japanese Journal of Ophthalmology 5/2011

01-09-2011 | Clinical Investigation

Diagnosis of ocular toxoplasmosis by two polymerase chain reaction (PCR) examinations: qualitative multiplex and quantitative real-time

Authors: Sunao Sugita, Manabu Ogawa, Shizu Inoue, Norio Shimizu, Manabu Mochizuki

Published in: Japanese Journal of Ophthalmology | Issue 5/2011

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Abstract

Aim

To establish a two-step polymerase chain reaction (PCR) diagnostic system for ocular toxoplasmosis.

Methods

A total of 13 ocular fluid samples (11 aqueous humor and 2 vitreous fluid) were collected from 13 patients with clinically suspected ocular toxoplasmosis. Ten ocular samples from other uveitis patients and 20 samples from subjects without ocular inflammation were used as controls. Two polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods, i.e., qualitative multiplex PCR and quantitative real-time PCR, were used to measure the toxoplasma genome (T. gondii B1 gene).

Results

Qualitative multiplex PCR detected T. gondii B1 gene in the ocular fluids of 11 out of 13 patients with clinically suspected ocular toxoplasmosis. In real-time PCR, we detected high copy numbers of T. gondii DNA (5.1 × 102–2.1 × 106 copies/mL) in a total of 10 patients (10/13, 77%). Only ocular toxoplasmosis scar lesions were observed in the three real-time PCR-negative patients. PCR assay results for the samples from the two control groups were all negative.

Conclusions

The two-step PCR examination to detect toxoplasma DNA is a useful tool for diagnosing ocular toxoplasmosis.
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Metadata
Title
Diagnosis of ocular toxoplasmosis by two polymerase chain reaction (PCR) examinations: qualitative multiplex and quantitative real-time
Authors
Sunao Sugita
Manabu Ogawa
Shizu Inoue
Norio Shimizu
Manabu Mochizuki
Publication date
01-09-2011
Publisher
Springer Japan
Published in
Japanese Journal of Ophthalmology / Issue 5/2011
Print ISSN: 0021-5155
Electronic ISSN: 1613-2246
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10384-011-0065-8

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