TOXOPLASMOSIS A Risk In Pregnancy What is Toxoplasmosis

TOXOPLASMOSIS A Risk In Pregnancy

What is Toxoplasmosis? § It is an infection caused by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii

What causes Toxoplasmosis? § The protozoan Toxoplasmosis gondii, is a coccidian, obligate, intracellular parasite responsible for zoonotic infections in man and other mammals

Life Cycle: § Two phases § Intestinal and extraintestinal

Toxoplasmosis gondii § Oocysts- Only members of the cat family shed oocysts

Toxoplasmosis gondii § Trophozoites- Tachyzoites are the actively proliferating trophozoites, which are observed during the acute stage of infection

Toxoplasmosis gondii § Tissue cysts: Tissue cysts are found most commonly in the brain and in skeletal and cardiac muscle but can occur in any organ

Signs and Symptoms: § § § Fever Sore throat Sore muscles Tiredness Swollen glands Temporary blurred vision or loss of vision

Diagnosis: § § § Serological tests Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) Histological demonstration of the parasite and or its antigens (i. e. immunoperoxidase stain) § Isolation of the organism

Treatment: § Treatment should be developed in consultation with an obstetrician and infectious disease specialist § Combinations of anti-toxoplasmosis medications (plus leurovorin) § Hospitalization may be necessary

Prevention: § Wear gloves when handling soil § Wash hands with soap and water after outdoor activities § When preparing raw meat, wash any cutting boards, sinks, knives and other utensils that touched the raw meat thoroughly with soap and hot water to avoid contaminating other foods § Cook all meats thoroughly

Prevention: § Keep cats indoors and feed them dry or canned food rather than allowing them to have access to wild birds and rodents

Prevention: § Clean litter box everyday (because the parasite found in cat feces needs one or more days after it is past to become infectious) § Thoroughly wash hands after cleaning litter box