Experimental Models of Ocular Toxoplasmosis

Násare, Alex Martins; Tedesco, Roberto

doi:10.5772/67947

Cited by 1 publication

(1 citation statement)

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“…OT has been widely studied since then, although it still poses many challenges regarding its physiopathology (Maenz et al, 2014). In OT, the first tissue to be affected is the retina, followed by the choroid, the vitreous humor and anterior chamber, which can all be affected, but never before the retina (Nasaré and Tedesco, 2017). Uveitis and retinochoroiditis are clinical aspects characterized by the inflammation of the uveal tract that can occur during the pathogenesis of OT, possibly evolving to irreversible ocular lesions (Holland, 1999).…”

Section: Congenital Toxoplasmosismentioning

confidence: 99%

Implications of TORCH Diseases in Retinal Development—Special Focus on Congenital Toxoplasmosis

Campos

Calaza

Adesse

2020

Front. Cell. Infect. Microbiol.

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There are certain critical periods during pregnancy when the fetus is at high risk for exposure to teratogens. Some microorganisms, including Toxoplasma gondii, are known to exhibit teratogenic effects, interfering with fetal development and causing irreversible disturbances. T. gondii is an obligate intracellular parasite and the etiological agent of Toxoplasmosis, a zoonosis that affects one third of the world's population. Although congenital infection can cause severe fetal damage, the injury extension depends on the gestational period of infection, among other factors, like parasite genotype and host immunity. This parasite invades the Central Nervous System (CNS), forming tissue cysts, and can interfere with neurodevelopment, leading to frequent neurological abnormalities associated with T. gondii infection. Therefore, T. gondii is included in the TORCH complex of infectious diseases that may lead to neurological malformations (Toxoplasmosis, Others, Rubella, Cytomegalovirus, and Herpes). The retina is part of CNS, as it is derived from the diencephalon. Except for astrocytes and microglia, retinal cells originate from multipotent neural progenitors. After cell cycle exit, cells migrate to specific layers, undergo morphological and neurochemical differentiation, form synapses and establish their circuits. The retina is organized in nuclear layers intercalated by plexus, responsible for translating and preprocessing light stimuli and for sending this information to the brain visual nuclei for image perception. Ocular toxoplasmosis (OT) is a very debilitating condition and may present high severity in areas in which virulent strains are found. However, little is known about the effect of congenital infection on the biology of retinal progenitors/ immature cells and how this infection may affect the development of this tissue. In this context, this study reviews the effects that congenital infections may cause to the developing retina and the cellular and molecular aspects of these diseases, with special focus on congenital OT.

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Section: Congenital Toxoplasmosismentioning

confidence: 99%