Pharmaceutics – level 3 &4 –parasitology – LAB 6 T/ Mohammed Hail Al Adeemy

Diagnosis of Toxoplasma gondii

T. gondii is transmitted by the ingestion of oocysts in
food, water, or from hands contaminated with faeces
from an infected cat. Transmission can also occur by
transplacental transmission, by blood transfusion, or by
ingesting the parasites in undercooked meat of an
infected animal intermediate host.

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Pharmaceutics – level 3 &4 –parasitology – LAB 6 T/ Mohammed Hail Al Adeemy

Toxoplasma gondii (schematic diagram); (A) tachyzoites; (B) pseudocyst; (C) tissue
cyst; (D) sporulated oocyst;

Laboratory Diagnosis of Toxoplasma gondii :

- Antibody detection
Several methods are employed for detecting specific
anti T. gondii antibodies like :
- Sabin-Feldman dye test.
- Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
- Indirect fluorescentantibody test (IFA).
- Indirect hemagglutination test (IHA).
- Latex agglutination test (LAT).

Latex agglutination test (LAT)

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Pharmaceutics – level 3 &4 –parasitology – LAB 6 T/ Mohammed Hail Al Adeemy

Methods :

1. Immediately before use open the pouch.

2. Cleanse the finger with the swab provided.
3. Prick the finger with the lancet provided.
4. Collect a blood sample using the loop provided.
5. Blot the blood onto the sample (S).
6. Add 2 drops of buffer to the sample (S).

- Direct Microscopic Examination

The specimens frequently examined are peripheral
blood, body fluids, lymph node aspirate, bone marrow
aspirate, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), biopsy material from
spleen, liver and brain. These specimens are stained
with Giemsa, PAS, silver stains, immunoperoxidase stain.

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Pharmaceutics – level 3 &4 –parasitology – LAB 6 T/ Mohammed Hail Al Adeemy

- Detection of Toxoplasma Antigens

ELISA is available to detect specific Toxoplasma antigens
in blood or body fluids or amniotic fluid.

- Molecular diagnosis
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) can be employed to
detect Toxoplasma specific DNA from various clinical
samples like blood or body fluids or amniotic fluid.

- Tissue culture
T. gondii can be isolated by inoculating into murine
alveolar and peripheral macrophage cell line.

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