3012. PCR. Toxoplasma gondii (u/g scaping, qualitative determination)

PCR testing for Toxoplasma gondii in urogenital tract swabs detects the pathogen's DNA. It is suitable for confirming active infection and provides a qualitative result—detected/not detected.

Toxoplasma gondii is an intracellular parasite that causes toxoplasmosis. In most people, the infection is asymptomatic, but under certain conditions (pregnancy, immunosuppression), it can have severe clinical consequences. Although the primary route of transmission is oral (via contaminated meat or cat feces), the parasite can also enter the urogenital tract.

PCR diagnostics of Toxoplasma gondii in urogenital tract scrapings is a modern molecular method for detecting the pathogen's DNA directly in biological material. This test provides a qualitative result (detected/not detected) and allows for the diagnosis of an active parasitic infection, even in the absence of antibodies or with questionable serological results.

Clinical significance:

• Confirmation of localized infection in the urogenital area, especially in women with chronic inflammatory processes, abnormal discharge, erosions, or atypical cytological changes of the cervix.
• Exclusion of an active focus of toxoplasmosis in pregnant women with positive IgG/IgM to assess the risk of vertical transmission.
• Assessment of infection reactivation in patients with immunodeficiencies (HIV, post-transplant, immunosuppressive therapy).
• Monitoring the effectiveness of therapy or the dynamics of treatment in patients with a confirmed diagnosis of toxoplasmosis.

Diagnostic advantages:

• High analytical sensitivity – detection of even minimal amounts of pathogen DNA.
• High specificity – identification of T. gondii.
• Is independent of the presence of antibodies, which is especially important in the early phase of infection or in seronegative forms.

The test is especially effective when combined with serological tests (IgG, IgM) and antibody avidity determination. This approach allows the physician to obtain the most accurate information about the patient's infectious status and make a clinically informed decision.

• Pregnant women with positive or inconclusive serological tests (IgM, IgG) to determine the presence of active infection in the urogenital area.
• Women with abnormal discharge or erosive/inflammatory changes of the cervix of unknown origin.
• If urogenital toxoplasmosis is suspected – a rare but possible localization.
• Immunosuppressed patients, particularly those infected with HIV, those undergoing organ transplantation, or those receiving immunosuppressive therapy.
• As part of a comprehensive diagnosis of toxoplasmosis, especially when there is discrepancy between the clinical picture and serological results.
• When planning a pregnancy in women with unknown or questionable immune status against T. gondii.

• Scrapes from various sites depending on the test

Women