Congenital Transmission of Apicomplexan Parasites: A Review

Abstract

Apicomplexans are a group of pathogenic protists that cause various diseases in humans and animals that cause economic losses worldwide. These unicellular eukaryotes are characterized by having a complex life cycle and the ability to evade the immune system of their host organism. Infections caused by some of these parasites affect millions of pregnant women worldwide, leading to various adverse maternal and fetal/placental effects. Unfortunately, the exact pathogenesis of congenital apicomplexan diseases is far from being understood, including the mechanisms of how they cross the placental barrier. In this review, we highlight important aspects of the diseases caused by species of Plasmodium, Babesia, Toxoplasma, and Neospora, their infection during pregnancy, emphasizing the possible role played by the placenta in the host-pathogen interaction.

Molecular detection of Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum in neotropical primates

“…3 Neospora caninum is not considered a zoonotic disease; however, antibodies anti-N. caninum in human sera and DNA detection in human umbilical cord blood have been described, demonstrated the importance of human exposure to this agent. 24,25 In this study, three primates tested positive in the molecular detection of T. gondii and N. caninum, demonstrating coinfection in both free-living (one Mico melanurus and one Aotus azarae)…”

“…Neospora caninum is not considered a zoonotic disease; however, antibodies anti‐ N . caninum in human sera and DNA detection in human umbilical cord blood have been described, demonstrated the importance of human exposure to this agent 24,25 …”

Involvement of Urm1, a Ubiquitin-Like Protein, in the Regulation of Oxidative Stress Response of Toxoplasma gondii

“…In addition, infection during pregnancy can cause serious damage, such as miscarriage and stillbirth ( 3 , 4 ). Severe symptoms are observed in newborns, including blindness, mental retardation, and hydrocephalus when the primoinfection occurs in the pregnant woman ( 5 ).…”

Protective Effect against Neosporosis Induced by Intranasal Immunization with Neospora caninum Membrane Antigens Plus Carbomer-Based Adjuvant

“…A recent meta-analysis study estimated that the highest prevalence of bovine neosporosis occurs in North, Central and South America, followed by Asia, Europe, and Oceania [6]. The highly effective vertical transmission of N. caninum in cattle significantly contributes to the burden of disease [7,8]. Several control measures could be considered to manage neosporosis, ranging from "doing nothing" to "test-and-cull" and chemotherapeutical approaches [9,10].…”