Evaluation of NT-ProBNP and Procalcitonin as Markers from Rodents with Myocardial Toxoplasmosis Using ECL Method: A Pilot Study

Aims Toxoplasma parasites that extracted from different rodents are the same in immunologic and morphological characteristics but different in pathogenic characteristics. We found that the serum levels of ProBNP and Procalcitonin markers are high among these rodents. The aim of this study was the assessment of the serum levels of ProBNP and Procalcitonin markers among the rodents with myocardial toxoplasmosis. Materials & Methods In this study, we collected 286 rodents and extracted 250g of their hearttissues and blood samples to obtain DNA of T. gondii. We detected the positive samples, using the nested PCR method. Then, we examined serum levels of Pro BNP and Procalcitonin markers, using Electro Chemo Luminescence method (ECL) for assessment of myocardial toxoplasmosis in this host. Data analysis was also conducted by the statistical analysis method. This study was performed from January to March 2017, based on the prevalence study. Findings In this study, 68/286 samples of rodents were positive for GRA6 gene and these positive samples had high levels of Pro BNP and Procalcitonin markers that indicated myocardial toxoplasmosis and acute inflammation among these animals. Conclusion In this study, we found that the GRA6 gene was very useful to follow up toxoplasmosis in the rodents of the Golestan province, northeast of Iran. Also, ProBNP and Procalcitonin markers were at high levels in myocardial toxoplasmosis

Keywords:

Toxoplasmosis , Rodents , GRA6 Gene , Pro BNP Marker , Procalcitonin