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Biomedical subjects

A Paugam

Publications and source records attributed to A Paugam.

27 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

[Current diagnostic aspects of toxoplasmosis].

Biological diagnosis of toxoplasmosis is now based more widely on combined use of serology and techniques for detection of the parasite or its constituents. Serologic methods endeavour to describe more reliably the antibodies involved in the humoral response and define their specific antigenic properties. Use of purified parasite proteins and characterization of isotypes having short-lived kinetics now make it possible to be more precise about the date of contamination in the case of first infections; however, serology remains of limited interest for diagnosis of toxoplasmosis in immunodepressed patients. Techniques for detection of the parasite by cell culture, or of parasite DNA by polymerase chain reaction, now represent the alternatives of choice to direct search or animal inoculation. These techniques are more specifically indicated where the immune response is abnormal or absent, particularly in immunodepressed patients and in the fetus. The results, obtained in a few days, provide a reliable diagnosis and enable specific treatment to be instituted.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Detection of Toxoplasma gondii in venous blood from AIDS patients by polymerase chain reaction.

Detection of Toxoplasma gondii in blood by means of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) may facilitate the diagnosis and follow-up of cerebral toxoplasmosis in patients with AIDS. We evaluated this approach with seven patients with tissue culture-proven parasitemia, 14 patients with presumptive cerebral toxoplasmosis, and 17 healthy human immunodeficiency virus-positive controls. Each sample of blood was assayed on three different occasions by a PCR assay based on detection of the gene encoding the P30 surface protein. A positive PCR diagnosis required positivity in at least two of the three PCR tests. None of the controls had a positive PCR diagnosis, but six of the seven patients with parasitemia did. Cerebral toxoplasmosis was confirmed in 13 of the 14 patients with a presumptive diagnosis; diagnosis by PCR was positive before treatment for 9 of these 13 patients, whereas tissue culture was positive for only 1 patient. During treatment, blood samples were taken from 14 patients at regular intervals until day 12. PCR diagnosis became negative on ethidium-stained gels, but persistent signals were observed after hybridization, in some cases, for up to 12 days after initiation of therapy. PCR on venous blood could thus be a sensitive and noninvasive method for the diagnosis of cerebral and disseminated toxoplasmosis in AIDS patients and could be a potential tool for monitoring the effects of treatment.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Delayed testing for the diagnosis of fungi in the urines. Evaluation of the BD Vacutainer C&S tubes for the storage of urine samples at room temperature].

The study included 37 urine samples which have been artificially infected with low levels (10(3) CFU/mL) of various fungi strains. We compared the effects of sample storage, up to 48 hours, at room temperature, in a urine evacuated tube containing specific additives with storage at + 4 degrees C, for the same length of time, in a urine evacuated tube without any additives. There have been no differences of results (speed of growth and colony size) between the 2 modes of storage. However, the experience has shown that samples needed a careful mixing before seeding to avoid underdetection of the strains. Based on the study results, the BD Vacutainer C&S tubes are suitable for delayed testing for the diagnosis of urine fungal infection.

Equipment Design↗