quanty TOXO

The quanty Toxo system is an in vitro diagnostic test for identification and quantification of the Toxoplasma gondii genome, by Real-Time PCR.

Toxoplasmosis is an infection caused by a single-celled parasite called Toxoplasma gondii. The Toxoplasma parasite can persist for long periods of time in the bodies of humans (and other animals), possibly even for a lifetime. Of those who are infected however, very few have symptoms because a healthy person’s immune system usually keeps the parasite from causing illness. However, pregnant women and individuals who have compromised immune systems should be cautious; for them, a Toxoplasma infection could cause serious health problems. Pregnant women, also without symptoms, may transmit the infection to the foetus, which can result in abortion, still-birth, perinatal death (due to disseminated toxoplasmosis), or congenital infection with severe malformation affecting the eyes and the brain. Infection in individuals with impaired immunity tends to seriously affect the central nervous system, but also other organs may be affected. Such patients may require prolonged (sometimes life-long) therapy.

Target:

529-bp repeat region of Toxoplasma gondii genome
Internal Control (IC)

Standard for quantification:

Synthetic DNA corresponding to the target region (100.000 cps/µL - 100 cps/µL)

Diagnostic samples:

Whole blood collected in EDTA
Amniotic fluid

Real-Time PCR instruments:

Applied Biosystems 7500 Fast (ThermoFisher SCIENTIFIC)
Rotor-Gene Q MDx (RG-Q MDx - QIAGEN)
LightCycler® 480 Real-Time PCR System (Roche)
Versant kPCR AD from Siemens o Stratagene MX3005P/MX3000P

DNA Extraction:

Manual Extraction with:

QIAmp DNA mini kit (QIAGEN)

Automatic Extraction with:

EZ1 Advanced XL (QIAGEN)