Toxoplasma DNA by PCR, Quantitative, CSF

Toxoplasma gondii is highly problematic when primary infection occurs during the first trimester of pregnancy, often leading to fetal death or when reactivation occurs in immunocompromised patients, leading to life-threatening disease including encephalitis and extracerebral toxoplasmosis. Onset of disease in most patients is preceded by an increase in parasite load measured in peripheral blood specimens using quantitative PCR. Monitoring blood levels of Toxoplasma gondii DNA correlates well with treatment.