title: [Detection by nested-PCR of Toxoplasma gondii in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Our purpose was to evaluate the effectiveness of the nested polymerase chain reaction (nested-PCR) for the laboratory diagnosis of active toxoplasmosis in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was carried out in 157 HIV-infected patients. We determined IgG, IgM and IgA antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii as well as parasite DNA by nested-PCR in blood samples.
  
  
  RESULTS
  IgG antibodies were detected in 56 patients, IgM in 1 and IgA in 5 patients. Eleven patients were found to have DNA of the parasite.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The polymerase chain reaction is a rapid, sensitive and effective technique in the early diagnosis of toxoplasmosis in HIV-infected patients. Its positivity may also point to the beginning of treatment in asymptomatic individuals.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Parasitología, Universidad de la Laguna, La Laguna, Spain.
authors.forename: Ricardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Alonso
authors.forename: Enrique
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Martínez
authors.forename: Pedro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Laynez
authors.forename: Máximo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Miguélez
authors.forename: José E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Piñero
authors.forename: Basilio
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Valladares
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000097:blood*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D014122:Toxoplasma / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan