Congenital toxoplasmosis—prenatal aspects of Toxoplasma gondii infection

2006 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 458-472 ◽  
Author(s):  
E RORMAN ◽  
C ZAMIR ◽  
I RILKIS ◽  
H BENDAVID
Keyword(s):  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Congenital Toxoplasmosis ◽  
Toxoplasma Gondii Infection

scholarly journals Biogenic Silver Nanoparticles Can Control Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Both Human Trophoblast Cells and Villous Explants

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Idessania Nazareth Costa ◽  
Mayara Ribeiro ◽  
Priscila Silva Franco ◽  
Rafaela José da Silva ◽  
Thádia Evelyn de Araújo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Silver Nanoparticles ◽  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Chorionic Villus ◽  
Congenital Toxoplasmosis ◽  
Trophoblast Cells ◽  
Promising Alternative ◽  
Human Trophoblast ◽  
Biogenic Silver Nanoparticles ◽  
Bewo Cells ◽  
Toxoplasma Gondii Infection

The combination of sulfadiazine and pyrimethamine plus folinic acid is the conventional treatment for congenital toxoplasmosis. However, this classical treatment presents teratogenic effects and bone marrow suppression. In this sense, new therapeutic strategies are necessary to reduce these effects and improve the control of infection. In this context, biogenic silver nanoparticles (AgNp-Bio) appear as a promising alternative since they have antimicrobial, antiviral, and antiparasitic activity. The purpose of this study to investigate the action of AgNp-Bio in BeWo cells, HTR-8/SVneo cells and villous explants and its effects against Toxoplasma gondii infection. Both cells and villous explants were treated with different concentrations of AgNp-Bio or combination of sulfadiazine + pyrimethamine (SDZ + PYZ) in order to verify the viability. After, cells and villi were infected and treated with AgNp-Bio or SDZ + PYZ in different concentrations to ascertain the parasite proliferation and cytokine production profile. AgNp-Bio treatment did not reduce the cell viability and villous explants. Significant reduction was observed in parasite replication in both cells and villous explants treated with silver nanoparticles and classical treatment. The AgNp-Bio treatment increased of IL-4 and IL-10 by BeWo cells, while HTR8/SVneo cells produced macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) and IL-4. In the presence of T. gondii, the treatment induced high levels of MIF production by BeWo cells and IL-6 by HTR8SV/neo. In villous explants, the AgNp-Bio treatment downregulated production of IL-4, IL-6, and IL-8 after infection. In conclusion, AgNp-Bio can decrease T. gondii infection in trophoblast cells and villous explants. Therefore, this treatment demonstrated the ability to reduce the T. gondii proliferation with induction of inflammatory mediators in the cells and independent of mediators in chorionic villus which we consider the use of AgNp-Bio promising in the treatment of toxoplasmosis in BeWo and HTR8/SVneo cell models and in chorionic villi.

scholarly journals The development of the Sabin–Pinkerton triad despite prenatal screening for congenital toxoplasmosis

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 270-274
Author(s):  
Urszula Dryja ◽  
◽  
Anna Niwald ◽  
Ewa Majda-Stanisławska ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Prenatal Screening ◽  
Congenital Toxoplasmosis ◽  
Congenital Infection ◽  
First Trimester ◽  
Imaging Findings ◽  
Pregnant Mother ◽  
First Trimester Of Pregnancy ◽  
Toxoplasma Gondii Infection ◽  
Antiparasitic Treatment

The paper presents a case of a boy who developed the symptoms of congenital toxoplasmosis: hydrocephalus, retinitis, choroiditis and intracranial calcifications (the Sabin–Pinkerton triad). Despite prenatal screening in the first trimester of pregnancy (in accordance with the guidelines of the Ministry of Health), which indicated the diagnosis of asymptomatic primary Toxoplasma gondii infection in the pregnant mother, no antiparasitic therapy was used. The presented serological and imaging findings, as well as specialist consultations confirm the intensified effects of congenital infection in the child. Although the child was put on anti-toxoplasma therapy immediately after birth, he developed severe psychophysical development disorders. The paper discusses recommendations for maternal diagnosis and antiparasitic treatment that could have prevented the full-blown congenital toxoplasmosis in the described patient.

scholarly journals Presence of Toxoplasma gondii tissue cysts in human semen

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wen Han Tong ◽  
Jana Hlaváčová ◽  
Samira Abdulai-Saiku ◽  
Šárka Kaňková ◽  
Jaroslav Flegr ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Sexual Transmission ◽  
Congenital Toxoplasmosis ◽  
Protozoan Parasite ◽  
Specific Gene ◽  
Human Populations ◽  
Human Semen ◽  
Latently Infected ◽  
Clinically Significant ◽  
Toxoplasma Gondii Infection

Toxoplasma gondii is a widely prevalent protozoan parasite in human populations. This parasite is thought to be primarily transmitted through undercooked meat and contamination by cat feces. Here, we demonstrate that Toxoplasma gondii cysts can be found within human semen, thus suggesting a potential for sexual transmission. We visualized Toxoplasma gondii cysts in ejaculates of immune-competent and latently infected human volunteers. We confirmed the encystment by probing transcription of a bradyzoite-specific gene in these structures. These observations extend previous observations of the parasite in semen of several non-human host species, including rats, dogs, and sheep. Toxoplasma gondii infection is a clinically significant infection, in view of its high prevalence, its purported role in neuropsychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, as well as in the more serious form of congenital toxoplasmosis. Our demonstration of intact Toxoplasma gondii cysts in the ejaculate supports the possibility of sexual transmission of the parasite and provides an impetus for further investigations.

scholarly journals Effect of Toxoplasma gondii Infection Kinetics on Trophoblast Cell Population in Calomys callosus, a Model of Congenital Toxoplasmosis

2002 ◽  
Vol 70 (12) ◽  
pp. 7089-7094 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. A. V. Ferro ◽  
D. A. O. Silva ◽  
E. Bevilacqua ◽  
J. R. Mineo
Keyword(s):  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Fetal Liver ◽  
Congenital Toxoplasmosis ◽  
Giant Cells ◽  
Maternal Blood ◽  
Cell Infection ◽  
Sequence Of Events ◽  
Calomys Callosus ◽  
Toxoplasma Gondii Infection ◽  
Trophoblast Giant Cells

ABSTRACT This work evaluated the kinetics of events that occur in the placenta of Calomys callosus after Toxoplasma gondii infection. Animals on the first day of pregnancy (dop) and virgin nonpregnant females were perorally infected with 20 cysts of T. gondii strain ME49. After 100 days of infection, the virgin animals were mated and received an additional 20 cysts on the first dop. The placentas and the embryos from both acutely and chronically infected animals were analyzed up to day 20 of pregnancy by morphological and immunocytochemical assays. Noninfected and infected animals exhibited placenta with normal morphology. From the seventh dop and infection onwards, liver and spleen cells of the infected animals contained several parasitophorous vacuoles. On the 13th day, the maternal blood present at the placental blood spaces contained T. gondii-infected leukocytes. Infected placental cells were only seen on the 15th dop, being the trophoblast giant cells, the first cell type to contain signs of the parasite internalization, followed by labyrinth zone cells 24 h later and spongiotrophoblast cells only after the 19th dop. Fetal liver and brain were infected by T. gondii concomitantly to the labyrinth cell infection. No signals of infection were observed on placentas and embryos from chronically infected animals. Therefore, considering the sequence of events leading to the infection of the various organs, it could be hypothesized that the placenta is infected later on during pregnancy, which may be related to the defense roles played by this structure. However, trophoblast giant cells are unable to completely stop the progression of T. gondii infection towards the fetal tissues. C. callosus was demonstrated to be a suitable experimental model to study the dynamics of congenital toxoplasmosis.

Seroepidemiology of Toxoplasma gondii infection in women from the North of Portugal in their childbearing years

2011 ◽  
Vol 140 (5) ◽  
pp. 872-877 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. P. LOPES ◽  
J. P. DUBEY ◽  
O. MOUTINHO ◽  
M. J. GARGATÉ ◽  
A. VILARES ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Congenital Toxoplasmosis ◽  
Women Of Childbearing Age ◽  
Childbearing Age ◽  
Pork Products ◽  
The North ◽  
Toxoplasma Gondii Infection ◽  
Associated Risk Factors ◽  
Ig G

SUMMARYSeroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection and associated risk factors were investigated in 401 women of childbearing age from the North of Portugal. Of the 98 (24·4%) seropositive women, 92 (93·9%) only had immunoglobulin (Ig)G, two (2·0%) only had IgM, and four (4·1%) others had both IgG and IgM. Risk factors for T. gondii infection in women were: engaging in soil-related activities without gloves [odds ratio (OR) 8·4], consumption of unwashed raw vegetables or fruit (OR 7·6), and consumption of smoked or cured (non-cooked) processed pork products (OR 2·5). Most women of childbearing age from the North Portugal are susceptible to primary infection with T. gondii and, therefore, the risk of congenital toxoplasmosis remains high.

scholarly journals Clinical Diagnosis of Toxoplasmosis via Histopathological and Antibody Examination of Five Immunocompetent Patients at Kobe City Medical Center General Hospital, 2008 to 2015

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
Tatsuji Hoshino ◽  
Shinya Yoshioka ◽  
Shogo Shinohara ◽  
Akiko Matsushita ◽  
Yukihiro Imai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
General Hospital ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Congenital Toxoplasmosis ◽  
Wild Game ◽  
Antibody Positivity ◽  
Toxoplasma Gondii Infection ◽  
Low Prevalence ◽  
Kobe City ◽  
Immunocompetent Patients

Congenital toxoplasmosis, commonly known as TORCH, is a well-known syndrome, but even experienced obstetricians rarely encounter it. In Japan, there is good overall hygiene and raw or wild game meats are not eaten; therefore, the prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection and the antibody positivity rates have been low. This low prevalence rate also relates to the fact that Toxoplasma gondii infections are rarely observed in immunocompetent hosts. Exploration of the cases in which pathological examinations were performed at our hospital (Kobe City Medical Center General Hospital) revealed that acquired Toxoplasma infections were apparent in five immunocompetent patients over an 8-year period. The number of infections was unexpectedly high. The number of 5 cases was the highest in literature review to the extent that we could know. To prevent congenital toxoplasmosis, which manifests as intracranial calcifications, hydrocephalus, and chorioretinitis in severe cases, pregnant women and their doctors require proper knowledge about the risk factors and danger of this infection. We believe that from the viewpoint of cost performance relationship, it is appropriate to bear the test fee of about 50 USD for Toxoplasma IgG and IgM check for the test of congenital toxoplasmosis, if patients desired.

scholarly journals Multiple Pregnancy Increases the Risk of Toxoplasma Gondii Infection

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Priscilla Vilela dos Santos ◽  
Débora Nonato Miranda Toledo ◽  
Bianca Alves Almeida ◽  
Valter F Andrade-Neto ◽  
Nathalia S Guimarães ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Placental Transfer ◽  
Multiple Pregnancy ◽  
Congenital Toxoplasmosis ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Neurocognitive Deficits ◽  
Igg Antibody ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Toxoplasma Gondii Infection

Abstract Background. Congenital toxoplasmosis (CT) is an infectious disease caused by placental transfer of Toxoplasma gondii protozoa to the fetus, and can generate neurological and neurocognitive deficits, or death. As a mother’s infection poses the risk of fetal transmission in about 30% of the cases, appropriate preventive strategies are required for infection-related risk factors. The present study assessed the prevalence of T. gondii infection and the factors associated with congenital toxoplasmosis in pregnant women with assistance from the Public Health Service at Ouro Preto, Brazil.Methods. This cross-sectional study was conducted between April and December 2020. Pregnant women (n = 131) aged between 13 and 46 years, were recruited and evaluated for specific IgM and IgG antibody levels against T. gondii. These women also responded to a structured questionnaire, which was later used to determine the socioeconomic, environmental, gestational, clinical, and dietary patterns.Results. The prevalence of infection by T. gondii was 45.8% (n = 60); of these, multigravida women were more exposed to infection and were 2.6 times more likely to become infected with T. gondii compared to primigravida women (OR: 2.60; 95% CI: 1.25-5.39). A high prevalence of T. gondii seropositivity was identified in pregnant women in the region of Ouro Preto, Brazil, where part of the sample reported the absence of basic sanitation at home.Conclusion. Our data identified multigravida as a potential risk factor for gestational toxoplasmosis, based on the high positivity of anti-T. gondii serology in these women Thus, educational and preventive measures must be intensified in both primigravida and multigravida women, to increase awareness regarding the potential risks of contact with T. gondii.

scholarly journals Toxoplasma gondii infection in pregnant women

2013 ◽  
Vol 66 (11-12) ◽  
pp. 459-463 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vera Jerant-Patic ◽  
Vesna Milosevic ◽  
Ivana Hrnjakovic-Cvjetkovic ◽  
Aleksandra Patic ◽  
Sandra Stefan-Mikic ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Congenital Toxoplasmosis ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Igg Antibody ◽  
Clinical Diagnoses ◽  
Urban And Rural Areas ◽  
Toxoplasma Gondii Infection ◽  
Specific Symptoms

Introduction. The aim of this study was to determine the percentage of seropositive pregnant women, i.e. of pregnant women infected with Toxoplasma gondii in order to provide an insight into the risk of developing congenital toxoplasmosis in our community. Material and Methods. In the period of two years, 662 pregnant women from Vojvodina were examined serologically. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay tests were performed to determine IgM and IgG antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii and the complement fixation test was done to detect total antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii. Results and Discussion. Seropositivity was determined in 180 pregnant women (27.19%). Of 135 pregnant women examined in the routine control in pregnancy, 16.30% were seropositive and out of five proven, completely new Toxoplasma gondii infections, three were detected in pregnant women who had undergone the routine check-up for no specific symptoms. A detailed analysis of the frequency of seropositive findings in relation to clinical diagnoses and the place of residence of pregnant women (urban and rural areas) was performed. At the same time, the results from the serological reactions were presented, commented and interpreted, and recommendations were given for the implementation of additional examinations (eg, IgG antibody avidity test) in order to make the accurate diagnosis. Conclusion. It can be concluded that the occurrence of congenital toxoplasmosis is still a problem in our community and that the best prevention is the prompt and adequate examination of pregnant women for the presence of Toxoplasma gondii infection.

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