[Real-time PCR in the diagnosis of toxoplasmosis: the way to standardisation?].

Severity of toxoplasmosis is highly correlated to the immune status of the infected individual. Foetus and immunocompromised patient are mostly at risk to develop life threatening forms. In this situation, serological diagnosis gives poor information. DNA detection using polymerase-chain-reaction technology (PCR) has significantly improved the management of this disease. Even so, the growing number of conventional PCR assays has finally led to variable performance results. Real-Time PCR (RT-PCR) in toxoplasmosis has been developed since 2000. This new technology can improve standardisation. Moreover, quantification of parasitic load in samples becomes possible. This review describes the main RT-PCR procedures actually under use and the studies comparing different target genes. The effective benefit of quantification is also discussed. Reducing number of procedures and more systematic external quality control should be considered, in order to improve reliability in PCR results, which has undoubtedly become a major tool in toxoplasmosis diagnosis.