An inexpensive, accurate test that detects infections with the parasite Toxoplasma gondii can provide results within 30 minutes from a finger-prick in a doctor's office or within an hour from a small blood sample tested in a local medical laboratory.
May 28 2024University of Chicago An inexpensive, accurate test that detects infections with the parasite Toxoplasma gondii can provide results within 30 minutes from a finger-prick in a doctor's office or within an hour from a small blood sample tested in a local medical laboratory.
"Without proper diagnosis and medications, acute toxoplasmosis in the fetus can be lethal or lead to premature birth," said co-corresponding author Martine Wallon, MD, of the Institut des agents infectieux and Hôpital de la Croix-Rousse in France. "In newborns, it can cause microcephaly, hydrocephalus, damage and inflammation in the brain, heart, lungs and eyes, and enlargement of the liver and spleen.
The research analyzes 12 new individual studies conducted by scientists in the United States, France and Colombia. Researchers examined the feasibility of using the ICT in multiple clinical circumstances and types of medical care as well as how it was perceived by patients, families and front-line health care workers.
The paper includes collation of the new, previously unpublished research with earlier studies from the University of Chicago, Stanford University and the Palo Alto Medical Foundation in the US, France, Morocco and Tunisia, revealing the test to be more than 97.5% , 99% sensitive and 100% specific on a large scale and in multiple countries and settings.
The $4 to $10 test meets all the World Health Organization ASSURED criteria and is already being used in Europe and other countries including Martinique, French Guiana and Morocco. The lack of screening in the U.S is partly due to the problems this study resolves, although additional educational programs are needed because of the misperception that the infection is unpreventable and untreatable.
Once the microscopic, single-celled T. gondii establishes itself in the human body, it makes its way to the brain where it survives life-long in a latent stage that currently is untreatable. Roughly two billion people harbor this parasite in their brains, and scientists are discovering that the parasite may cause or exacerbate illnesses not previously recognized as associated with this infection.
Brain Diagnostic Diagnostics Doctor Eye Food Health Care Heart Hospital Hydrocephalus Inflammation Laboratory Liver Lungs Microcephaly Ophthalmology Pediatrics Pregnancy Premature Birth Research Spleen Toxoplasmosis
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Corrie's new aerial images show new addition to the street after 'sad farewell'They have revealed the upcoming new addition to the street which viewers of the ITV soap will soon seen on screen
Read more »
Hundreds of new flats could be built in major new city centre towerA new 14-storey development could be constructed in Pumpfields
Read more »
Headteacher hails 'new phase' at troubled school after new inspectionPreviously rated inadequate, the school has now been graded as requires improvement by Ofsted
Read more »
Why the new FLiRT group of variants is expected to bring a new wave of CovidScientists are divided on how big an effect the new variants will have following four months of the lowest infection levels seen for three years
Read more »
New online bookmakers in the UK - brand new brands this monthIf you are looking for the best new UK bookmakers for all your sports betting needs, you have come to the right place. The experts at Wisegambler.com have been hard at work trying and reviewing the best of their commercial partners.
Read more »
U.S. Sees New Egyptian Gas Fields As Key To Its New Middle Eastern StrategyBesides its important geo-strategic location, Egypt is the new potential gas hotspot in the potentially huge Eastern Mediterranean gas hub
Read more »