Congenital Toxoplasmosis: A Review of its Pathology, Immune Response and Current Treatment Options.

Abstract

Toxoplasmosis, caused by the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii, is one of the most common parasites of man and other warm-blooded animals. Humans are infected through contaminated food, water, and blood transfusion, organ transplantation or from mother to foetus through the placenta. Severe congenital infections occur as a result of primary T. gondii infection in early pregnancy. Transmission of T.gondii to the foetus can result in serious health problems, including mental retardation, seizures, blindness and death. Frequency of foetal infection is higher when maternal infection occurs later in pregnancy and sequelae are more severe when maternal infections occur early in the first trimester of pregnancy. The ability of the parasite to survive intracellularly largely depends on the blocking of different proapoptotic signaling cascades of the host cells. During pregnancy, however, alterations in the incidence of apoptosis are associated with abnormal placental morphology and function. Both cellular and humoral immune responses control T.gondii infection. Toxoplasma is asymptomatic, infected women can only be detected by serological testing. In many instances, congenital toxoplasmosis can be prevented by educating pregnant women and women of childbearing age about the route of transmission. The need for screening suspected cases of T. gondii will help reduce transmission to the foetus.

Prevalence and Determinants of Toxoplasma Seropositivity among Women Who had Spontaneous Abortion in Gombe, North-Eastern Nigeria

“…This agrees with the finding by Tammam in Egypt of T.gondii infection being 3.8 times greater among rural dwellers than urban and to Siddiqui in India [30,38]. This could be as a result of higher tendency to eat unwashed fruits and vegetables and close contact with livestock and vast contaminated farmlands [40]. The higher seropositivity rate among those that were educated in the current study was probably due to tendency for more outdoor interaction among urban residents, and also the likelihood of eating meals prepared on road-side or by hawkers with questionable sanitary habits.…”

Assessment of Pregnant Women Toxoplasmosis by ELISA Method in Miandoab City, Iran

“…Congenital toxoplasmosis can lead to a wide variety of manifestations from spontaneous abortion and still-birth to hydrocephalus or microcephalus, cerebral calcifications and retinochoroiditis in the fetus and infant (11,12). Studies had been performed to evaluate the T. gondii infection in pregnant women or child bearing age in some countries (26).…”

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasmosis in Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Care at Sir Yahaya Memorial Hospital, Birnin Kebbi, Northwestern Nigeria

“…Acute primary maternal toxoplasmosis if acquired during the first trimester of pregnancy can cause significant morbidity and mortality in developing foetuses [6]. The risk of congenital toxoplasmosis infection from a mother with primary toxoplasmosis increases during pregnancy, from 0% to 9% in the first trimester to 35% to 59% in the third trimester [7]. In most African countries, sufficient attention is yet to be given to toxoplasmosis [7].…”

“…The risk of congenital toxoplasmosis infection from a mother with primary toxoplasmosis increases during pregnancy, from 0% to 9% in the first trimester to 35% to 59% in the third trimester [7]. In most African countries, sufficient attention is yet to be given to toxoplasmosis [7].…”

“…In the United States, the overall age-adjusted Seroprevalence is 22.5%, and 15% among women of childbearing age (15 to 44 years) [9]. Report from Africa, showed 34.1% in Sudan [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10]. The overall Seroprevalence of anti-Toxoplasma antibodies was 45.5% in Cameroon [11] whereas a prevalence 68.4 [12] was found in Ethiopia.…”