Detection of toxoplasmic encephalitis in HIV positive patients in urine with hydrogel nanoparticles.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Diagnosis of toxoplasmic encephalitis (TE) is challenging under the best clinical circumstances. The poor clinical sensitivity of quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) for Toxoplasma in blood and CSF and the limited availability of molecular diagnostics and imaging technology leaves clinicians in resource-limited settings with few options other than empiric treatment.

Methology/principle findings

Here we describe proof of concept for a novel urine diagnostics for TE using Poly-N-Isopropylacrylamide nanoparticles dyed with Reactive Blue-221 to concentrate antigens, substantially increasing the limit of detection. After nanoparticle-concentration, a standard western blotting technique with a monoclonal antibody was used for antigen detection. Limit of detect

SUBMITTER: Steinberg HE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7954332 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature