Laboratory diagnosis of leptospirosis.

Percentage of serological positivity examined in 4205 blood sera by serological method microscopic agglutination test (MAT) on the hinterland territory of our laboratory (East Bohemia; 1999-2003) was 0.38-4.7 %.

Polymerase chain reaction for detection of Toxoplasma gondii in human biological samples.

Using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), Toxoplasma gondii from gene TGR1E with primers TGR1E-1, TGR1E-2 (standard PCR), and from B1 gene with primers TM1, TM2, TM3 (hemi-nested PCR) was detected in biological samples from 347 individuals (441 biological materials). Of the total of 441 biological materials, T. gondii DNA was detected in 5.

[Method of polymerase chain reaction in toxoplasmosis diagnosis].

Since introduction of polymerase chain reaction for the detection of DNA Toxoplasma gondii 398 biological samples from 301 patients were examined from 2000 to 2003. Positive finding of toxoplasmosis DNA we noted in 23 cases. Polymerase chain reaction enables exact and fast diagnosis of the actual parasitemia Toxoplasma gondii, which is important especially in the pregnant patients, new-born with suspicion on congenital toxoplasmosis and in the patients with immunosupression.

[Congenital toxoplasmosis: possibilities for laboratory diagnosis].

A case history and the steps taken in diagnosing congenital toxoplasmosis in a child whose mother experienced asymptomatic infection with the protozoon Toxoplasma gondii are presented. At pregnancy week 35, amniocentesis was performed because of fetal hydrops, ascites, hepatosplenomegaly and dilated left lateral brain ventricle on sonography. Laboratory tests showed high titers of IgM, IgE and IgA antibodies (acute infection markers) against Toxoplasma gondii in serum of the pregnant woman.

Diagnosis of Lyme borreliosis using enzyme immunoanalysis.

Background: Antiborrelia antibodies in Lyme borreliosis (LB) are mostly detected by enzyme immunoassay (EIA), confirmed by immunoblot (the "two-step system"). In indicated cases, direct evidence of Borrelia burgdorferi is obtained with the PCR method, electron microscopy and cultivation. The "one-step system" of testing for IgM and IgG antibodies in LB is economically preferably, but it requires an EIA kit with more than 90% sensitivity and specificity.