Retrospective study of toxoplasmosis prevalence in pregnant women in Benin and its relation with malaria

Background Globally distributed with variable prevalence depending on geography, toxoplasmosis is a zoonosis caused by an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite, Toxoplasma gondii. This disease is usually benign but poses a risk for immunocompromised people and for newborns of mothers with a primary infection during pregnancy because of the risk of congenital toxoplasmosis (CT). CT can cause severe damage to fetuses-newborns. To our knowledge, no study has been conducted in sub-Saharan Africa on toxoplasmosis seroprevalence, seroconversion and CT in a large longitudinal cohort and furthermore, no observation has been made of potential relationships with malaria. Methods We performed a retrospective toxoplasmosis serological study using available samples from a large cohort of 1,037 pregnant women who were enrolled in a malaria follow-up during the 2008–2010 period in a rural area in Benin. We also used some existing data to investigate potential relationships between the maternal toxoplasmosis serological status and recorded malaria infections. Results Toxoplasmosis seroprevalence, seroconversion and CT rates were 52.6%, 3.4% and 0.2%, respectively, reflecting the population situation of toxoplasmosis, without targeted medical intervention. The education level influences the toxoplasmosis serological status of women, with women with little or no formal education have greater immunity than others. Surprisingly, toxoplasmosis seropositive pregnant women tended to present lower malaria infection during pregnancy (number) or at delivery (presence) and to have lower IgG levels to Plasmodium falciparum Apical Membrane Antigen 1, compared to toxoplasmosis seronegative women. Conclusions The high toxoplasmosis seroprevalence indicates that prevention against this parasite remains important to deploy and must be accessible and understandable to and for all individuals (educated and non-educated). A potential protective role against malaria conferred by a preexisting toxoplasmosis infection needs to be explored more precisely to examine the environmental, parasitic and/or immune aspects.

Effect of 7DH biotherapic of Toxoplasma gondii in mice infected with the protozoan

Introduction: Toxoplasmosis is a zoonosis caused by Toxoplasma gondii worldwide distributed [1]. In both, men and animals, the infection with T. gondii can lead to important pathologies [2]. The study of alternative treatments is important to set new therapeutic protocols, especially for the prevention of congenital toxoplasmosis. Aim: This study evaluated the effect of a biotherapic 7DH T. gondii in mice infected with T. gondii. Material and methods: The study was approved by the Ethics Committee for Animal Experimentation of the Universidade Estadual de Maringá – Protocol n° 036/2009. Fourteen mice were used – swiss male aged 57 days divided into two groups according to the treatment (or its diluent biotherapic): BIOT-200DH and Control (cereal alcohol-7%).The biotherapic was prepared with homogenized mouse brain (20 cysts of T.gondii/100μL-average 242 bradyzoites / cyst), according to the Brazilian Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia [3] in laminar flow. The experiment was performed as a blind randomized controlled trial. The animals were treated for 3 days immediately prior to infection. The oral treatment schedule was of 0.1mL/4x/ day, on the first day, followed by 2x/day. Animals aged 57 – 59 days were treated with biotherapic and were clinically evaluated. The animals were orally infected at the age of 60 days (20 cysts ME49-T. gondii). Within18-21 days of infection the clinical parameters were evaluated. On the 55th day of infection the eye fundus was examined (Ophthalmoscope Welch Allyn ®) and the intraocular pressure was measured (Tonometer TONO-PEN ® XL). After 60 days of post-infection the animals were killed in a chamber saturated with halothane, the brains were homogenized and resuspended in 1 ml of saline solution. The cysts were counted according to a rate of 25 mL of suspension, covered with 24x24 mm glass, examined in its full length. Results and discussion: The table 1 summarizes the clinical data. There was no significant difference among the groups for clinical parameters during treatment, although it was recorded the death of an animal in the biotherapic 7DH group. The dead animal presented distended stomach and liquid feces in the intestine. After the infection it was observed reduction of water consumption (p

MODERN APPROACH AND CLINICAL EXPERIENCE OF DIAGNOSIS OF CONGENITAL TOXOPLASMOSIS

Diagnosis of congenital toxoplasmosis is one of the most pressing and complex problems of perinatology. Difficulties in the interpretation of serological tests, the lack of clearly defined steps in the detection of seroconversion in women leads to late diagnosis and the development of irreversible changes and severe complications from the newborn. When infected during pregnancy, the disease is extremely unfavorable for the fetus and can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, intrauterine growth retardation or the formation of birth defects. This article presents a review of the literature on the modern diagnosis of congenital toxoplasmosis and presents his own clinical case of diagnostic search for this infectious disease in the newborn. Practitioners should keep in mind prenatal ultrasound markers, the main manifestations of the disease and methods of diagnosis, because timely recognized and confirmed congenital toxoplasmosis will have the best long-term treatment results and prognosis in the newborn.

Peculiarities of the course of toxoplasmosis and toxocarosis in modern conditions of the сovid-19pandemic and their prevention

The article is devoted (dedicated) to topical problems of socially significant parasitosis, peculiarities of toxoplasmosis and toxocariasis in the conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic, measures of prevention of these parasitic invasions. Ways of infection, clinical features of chronic toxoplasmosis in the acute stage, and toxocariasis are described. An overview of modern methods of diagnosis of toxoplasmosis and toxocariasis is presented, the necessity of line-blot analysis in our country is described, first of all, to clarify the stage of the disease in congenital toxoplasmosis, as well as for differential diagnosis of stages of this disease. treatment of patients with toxoplasmosis invasion. Indications for examination of patients with toxoplasmosis are presented. The main measures for the prevention of congenital toxoplasmosis, which is dangerous for newborns, are outlined. Preventive measures to prevent toxocariasis infection are described, which is a necessary basis for improving the system of epidemiological surveillance for the spread of toxoplasmosis and toxocariasis in all regions of our country. Emphasis was placed on the need to strengthen control by government agencies to prevent parasitological pollution, the urgency of establishing a National Program for surveillance of parasitic infestations in the near future to control their spread and prevent serious consequences for the health of infected, the need and feasibility of specialized treatment centers. and rehabilitation of patients with parasitic infestations, primarily toxoplasmosis and toxocariasis. The necessity of dispensary observation for persons from risk groups for severe toxoplasmosis – pregnant women, immunocompromised persons, persons with immunodeficiency of different genesis, the main solutions for the prevention of these parasites.

IgG Avidity in Samples Collected on Filter Paper: Importance of The Early Diagnosis of Congenital Toxoplasmosis

Objective The purpose of the present study is to standardize and evaluate the use of the immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody avidity test on blood samples from newborns collected on filter paper to perform the heel test aiming at its implementation in ongoing programs. Methods Blood samples from newborns were collected on filter paper simultaneously with the heel prick test. All samples were subjected to immunoglobulin M IgM and IgG enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). Peripheral blood was collected again in the traditional way and on filter paper from newborns with high IgG levels (33). Three types of techniques were performed, the standard for measuring IgG in serum, adapted for filter paper and the technique of IgG avidity in serum and on filter paper. The results of the avidity test were classified according to the Rahbari protocol. Results Among the 177 samples, 17 were collected in duplicate from the same child, 1 of peripheral blood and 1 on filter paper. In this analysis, 1 (5.88%) of the 17 samples collected in duplicate also exhibited low IgG avidity, suggesting congenital infection. In addition, the results obtained from serum and filter paper were in agreement, that is, 16 (94.12%) samples presented high avidity, with 100% agreement between the results obtained from serum and from filter paper. Conclusion The results of the present study indicate that the avidity test may be another valuable method for the diagnosis of congenital toxoplasmosis in newborns.