Detection Of Toxoplasma Gondii and Human Cytomegalovirus DNA in Blood from Transplant Recipients Using Multiplex Nested Polymerase Chain Reaction

Evidences from many studies suggested a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) as a valuable method for diagnosing infectious disease in the transplant recipients. We used this method for detection of Toxoplasma, gondii and human cytomegalovirus in blood specimens from patients after bone marrow or kidney transplantation. DNA of both infectious agents were detected using two separate sets of nested primers in the PCR. The conditions for a multiplex nested PCR providing simultaneous iden‌tification of both pathogens in one tube were optimized. This assay provides an application in clinical research for diagnosis of infections in post-transplant recipients.