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 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.

Is Toxoplasma gondii Infection a Cause or a Coincidence in an Adolescent with Psychosis?

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hüsniye Yucel ◽  
Burak Acikel ◽  
F Nur Öz ◽  
Saliha Senel
Keyword(s):  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Psychiatric Symptoms ◽  
Current Level ◽  
Neuropsychiatric Diseases ◽  
New Knowledge ◽  
Young Adolescent Girl ◽  
Toxoplasma Gondii Infection ◽  
Psychiatric Problems ◽  
Immunocompetent Patients

AbstractAlthough presumed to be relatively harmless in immunocompetent patients, toxoplasmosis has been linked to several psychiatric problems such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and suicidal/aggressive behaviors. We describe an 11-year-old young adolescent girl with psychoses who was ultimately diagnosed with toxoplasmosis. It is an unusual presentation of Toxoplasma gondii infection that adds new knowledge to the current level of literature about the substantial role of Toxoplasma gondii in the etiology of neuropsychiatric diseases. We propose that screening for toxoplasmosis is needed besides other etiologies in differential diagnosis of psychiatric symptoms particularly in endemic areas.

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 Seroprevalence and associated risk factors of Toxoplasma gondii infection among pregnant mother in Makassar, Indonesia

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. e0245572
Author(s):  
Nurul Fadilah Ali Polanunu ◽  
Sitti Wahyuni ◽  
Firdaus Hamid
Keyword(s):  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Protozoan Parasite ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Igg Antibody ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Antibody Positivity ◽  
Toxoplasma Gondii Infection ◽  
Associated Risk Factors ◽  
Pregnant Mothers

The protozoan parasite, Toxoplasma gondii is estimated to infect one-third of the world’s population. Infection in pregnant women can cause severe conditions for their babies. Until now, there is no data regarding Toxoplasma infection from Makassar pregnant mothers. This study aims to obtain information on Toxoplasma specific antibodies and to measure the risk factor associate with parasite infection. This cross-sectional study conducted in 9 of 47 primary health centres (Puskesmas) in Makassar. Blood samples and questionnaires were collected from 184 pregnant women aged 15–42 years old from September to October 2020. ELISA technique was used to examine the IgG and IgM antibodies. Univariable and multivariable analyses were carried out to measure factors that independently associate with Toxoplasma antibody positivity. Our result showed the range of Toxoplasma IgM and IgG are 0.06–1.01 and 0.09–3.01, respectively. While no one of our participants has an acute Toxoplasma gondii infection (IgM positive), we found 32,6% pregnant mothers are exposed to parasite (positive IgG). Contact with cats [OR(95%CI): 10.45(3.77–28.99)], consume chicken satay [OR(95%CI): 9.72(3.71–25.48)] and consume un-boiled water/ filtered water [OR(95%CI): 5.98(1.77–20.23)] are independently associate with positive Toxoplasma IgG antibody. Based on the result, we conclude that pregnant women in Makassar are exposed to T. gondii and the oocyst and tissue cyst of parasite contaminates food and water in Makassar.

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.

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 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.

scholarly journals Management of suspected primary Toxoplasma gondii infection in pregnant women in Norway: twenty years of experience of amniocentesis in a low-prevalence population

2017 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gry Findal ◽  
Anne Helbig ◽  
Guttorm Haugen ◽  
Pål A. Jenum ◽  
Babill Stray-Pedersen
Keyword(s):  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Years Of Experience ◽  
Toxoplasma Gondii Infection ◽  
Low Prevalence
Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document