ABSTRACT

This study was performed in order to investigate the presence of Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) DNA, in various clinical specimens, obtained from different clinics, using the real-time polymerase chain reaction. Investigation of a total of 80 specimens was carried out using B1 gene region specific primers and probes after the extraction of T. gondii DNA. T. gondii DNA was found in three out of 80 specimens. Out of the three specimens found to be positive for T. gondii DNA, two were amniotic fluid specimens obtained from the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department and one, a cerebrospinal fluid specimen obtained from the Neonatology Department. T. gondii DNA was not found in the blood of a CSF-positive case. DNA was not found in the specimens of the remaining 77 patients.

Keywords: Toxoplasma gondii, toxoplasmosis, Real-Time polymerase chain reaction