Methodology

Molecular monitoring of reactivated toxoplasmosis (RT) and the effects of applied treatment in 60-75 allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients will be conducted on a weekly basis during three years of ToxoReTREAT project. Further isolation and characterization of Toxoplasma gondii parasite strains in patients diagnosed with RT, along with a detailed analysis of risk factors for RT will enable formulation of national guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of RT.

Examination of 35 acridine and acridone derivatives, newly synthesized and modified using computer modeling during three project years in in vivo and in vitro experimental models of RT, will enable determination of the antiparasitic effect and degree of toxicity of potential new drug candidates. Computer analysis of at least 300 photographs of in vivo and in vitro experimental results and identification of structural parameters specific to the parasite strain and type of treatment will be applied in order to establish an improved, mathematically objective, quantitative, automated, accessible and cost-effective system for analyzing the results of chemotherapy experiments based on ImageJ software.