[Usefulness of quantitative assessment of Toxoplasma gondii genome using PCR-TaqMan in amniotic fluid, maternal and neonatal blood in selected complications in pregnancy]. / Przydatnosc ilosciowej oceny genomu Toxoplasma gondii przy uzyciu metody PCR TaqMan w plynie owodniowym, krwi matki oraz krwi noworodków w wybranych przypadkach patologii ciazy.

UNLABELLED: Routine serological diagnosis of Toxoplasmosis provides high sensitivity, but not high specificity. The high sensitivity combined with high specificity offered by PCR-TaqMan as well as the degree of infection led us to investigate the presence and levels of Toxoplasma gondii genome in amniotic fluid, maternal and neonatal blood in cases of pregnancy where infection with this agent was suspected. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Samples of amniotic fluid and blood were taken from 28 women between the 16th and 40th week of gestational age. Postnatal blood samples were also taken from their infants. Included in the study group were women with IUGR, PROM, preterm delivery imminent, Toxoplasmosis in previous pregnancies, raised IgG or IgM anti-Toxoplasma antibody titers and with amniotic fluid disturbances (oligohydramnios and polyhydramnios). Presence and levels of Toxoplasma genome was investigated using PCR-TaqMan. PCR products were detected by electrophoresis on polyacrylamide gel. RESULTS: Toxoplasma gondii genome was detected in blood from 13 women, 3 newborns and in amniotic fluid from one other women. Toxoplasma genome was detected in blood from one newborn, but was not detected in sample from its mother. CONCLUSIONS: The PCR-TaqMan test is highly sensitive and specific method allowing detection of the parasite genome and assessment of its level. Limitations of this method are its relatively high cost and poor access to ABI PRISM 7700 (TaqMan) sequence detector. The PCR TaqMan is useful in cases, where serological tests for the presence of infections are ambiguous.

[Clinical assessment of utility of computerized system for cardiotocographic analysis in patients with pregnancy-induced hypertension]. / Ocena kliniczna przydatnosci komputerowego systemu analizy zapisów kardiotokograficznych u pacjentek z nadcisnieniem indukowanym ciaza.

OBJECTIVES: Authors decided to study the utility of computerised system for cardiotocographic analysis within the patients with pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH). MATERIALS AND METHODS: 186 cardiotocograms (average time of registration--1 hour) were thoroughly analysed with special consideration of Dawes-Reedman's criteria. The patients were divided into 2 groups: group I (115 persons) in which cardiotocograms fulfilled Dawes-Reedman's criteria and group II (71 persons) in which cardiotocograms did not fulfil Dawes-Reedman's criteria. Members of each group were in a similar, medium stage of PIH (assessed by gestosis index) according to Klimek, had similar gestational age and gynaecological past. Cardiotocograms were analysed by Computerised System for Perinatal Superintendence AXIS-Sonicaid provided by OXFORD (Great Britain). RESULTS: Fetal heart rate (FHR) was significantly higher while number of contraction was significantly lower in group II which cardiotocograms did not fulfil Dawes-Reedman's criteria in comparison to group which fulfilled them. In group I which cardiotocograms fulfilled Dawes-Reedman's criteria the number of acceleration up to both 10 and 15 bpm were significantly higher. The number of high variability episodes was significantly higher in group I while number of low variability episodes was significantly higher in group II. Moreover, short term variability was significantly higher in group which cardiotocograms fulfilled Dawes-Reedman's criteria. However, there were no differences between patients in both groups, considering delivery and the state of newborns (assessed by Apgar in 5th minute after birth with similar birth mass and age). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion we state that computerised analysis of cardiotocograms plays a crucial role in decision about further treatment in final phase of pregnancy complicated by PIH.