Background: The aim of the present study was to detect the occurrence of viable Toxoplasms or the presence of their DNA. Red blood cell concentrates of specific IgM-positive donors were tested in order to estimate if such blood products may have an infectious potential when transfused. Material and Methods: Aliquots of 1,000 red cell concentrates were used to inoculate in vitro cell cultures which were examined microscopically 6-7 days later with fluorescent staining for Toxoplasma gondii. Additionally, after a DNA isolation procedure, a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed using a part of the sequence of the toxoplasma B1 gene as a target. Dilutions of T. gondii tachyzoites with the red cell concentrate were used as positive controls. Results: Tachyzoites could be detected by in vitro culture even when the inoculum statistically contained only one parasite. About 3 tachyzoites yielded a positive result with the PCR method. All red cell samples investigated gave negative results both in cell culture and PCR. Conclusion: The risk of transmission of Toxoplasms by transfusing red cell concentrates from specific IgM-positive donors can be considered unlikely.

Keywords:
Toxoplasma, Toxoplasma DNA, Red cell concentrates Transfusion
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© 1997 S. Karger AG, Basel
1997
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