Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test for fetal toxoplasmosis
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Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test for fetal toxoplasmosis
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a method of duplicating DNA strands from a tiny sample of blood, hair, or tissue. PCR is used to identify infectious diseases, genetic conditions, and genetic links between people.
When a pregnant woman has toxoplasmosis, a PCR test on amniotic fluid is used to learn whether her fetus is also infected. PCR is preferred over a fetal blood test for antibodies because:1
- Collecting amniotic fluid through amniocentesis is considered safer than fetal blood sampling.
- PCR is better than antibody testing to detect toxoplasmosis.
- PCR can be done earlier in a pregnancy than a blood test for antibodies. Because first- and second-trimester fetal infection carry the highest risk of birth defects and mental retardation, earlier test results are important to parents who are considering ending such a pregnancy.
In rare cases, PCR produces false-positive or false-negative test results. Follow-up testing and fetal ultrasound monitoring for hydrocephalus can help confirm PCR test results.
PCR is seldom used to diagnose toxoplasmosis in adults. Antibody testing of a blood sample is easier and more widely available.
References
Citations
Jones J, et al. (2003). Congenital toxoplasmosis. American Family Physician, 76(10): 2131–2138.
Credits
| Author | Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS |
| Editor | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA |
| Associate Editor | Pat Truman, MATC |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Joy Melnikow, MD, MPH - Family Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Gregory A L Davies, MD, FRCSC, FACOG - Maternal-Fetal Medicine |
| Last Updated | June 27, 2007 |
| Last updated: | June 27, 2007 |
|---|---|
| Author: | Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS |
| Reviewed By: | Joy Melnikow, MD, MPH - Family Medicine, Gregory A L Davies, MD, FRCSC, FACOG - Maternal-Fetal Medicine |
| Editors: | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Pat Truman, MATC |
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