Problem Definition Study: 'Toxoplasma gondii' Serologic Reagents

摘要

Toxoplasmosis has long presented some very serious medical problems to a variety of patients. It was primarily due to the high prevalence of the disease in Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) patients that sufficient attention was focused upon the infection to stimulate this evaluation. The problem is determining if the infection is an active, newly acquired one, or if the antibodies detected merely reflect an earlier encounter with toxoplasmosis. The purpose of the study was to: (1) analyze the medical/scientific literature during the past eight years for studies and new developments in the diagnosis of toxoplasmosis; (2) define all of the problems encountered in the serologic diagnosis of T. gondii infections; (3) determine what, based on serologic results, constitutes 'immune status'; (4) summarize the serologic diagnostic criteria necessary to establish a firm diagnosis of toxoplasmosis; (5) recommend means for solving the various device problems encountered; and (6) recommend priorities for implementing problem-solving methods.