What is toxoplasmosis gondii

Toxoplasmosis - Symptoms and causes

Overview

Toxoplasmosis (tok-so-plaz-MOE-sis) is an infection with a parasite called Toxoplasma gondii. People often get the infection from eating undercooked meat. You can also get it from contact with cat feces. The parasite can pass to a baby during pregnancy.

Most people infected with the parasite do not have symptoms. Some people get flu-like symptoms. Serious disease most often affects infants and people with weakened immune systems. Toxoplasmosis during pregnancy may cause miscarriage and birth defects.

Most infections don't need treatment. Drug treatment is used for people with more-serious cases, pregnant people, newborns and people with weakened immune systems. Several steps to prevent toxoplasmosis can lower the risk of infection.

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Symptoms

Most people infected with toxoplasmosis do not have any symptoms. They often don't know they're infected. Some people have flu-like symptoms, including:

Fever.
Swollen lymph nodes that may last for weeks.
Headache.
Muscle aches.
Skin rash.

Symptoms of eye disease

The toxoplasma parasites may infect tissues of the inner eye. This can occur in people with healthy immune systems. But the disease is more serious in people with weakened immunity. An infection in the eye is called ocular toxoplasmosis. Symptoms may include:

Eye pain.
Poor vision.
Floaters, which are specks that seem to swim in your vision.

Untreated eye disease can cause blindness.

Effect on people with weakened immune systems

People with weakened immune systems are likely to have more-serious disease from toxoplasmosis. A toxoplasmosis infection from earlier in life may become active again. People at risk include those living with HIV/AIDS, people receiving cancer treatment and people with a transplanted organ.

In addition to serious eye disease, toxoplasmosis can cause severe lung or brain disease for a person with weakened immunity. Rarely, the infection can show up in other tissues throughout the body.

Lung infection may cause:

Breathing problems.
Fever.
Cough.

Toxoplasmosis may cause inflammation of the brain, also called encephalitis. Symptoms may include:

Confusion.
Poor coordination.
Muscle weakness.
Seizures.
Changes in alertness.

Effect on fetus or infant

Toxoplasmosis can pass from the mother to the fetus during a pregnancy. This is called congenital toxoplasmosis.

Infection during the first trimester often causes more-severe disease. It also may result in miscarriage. For some babies with toxoplasmosis, serious disease may be present at birth or appear early in infancy. Medical problems may include:

Too much fluid in or around the brain, also called hydrocephalus.
Severe eye infection.
Irregularities in brain tissues.
An enlarged liver or spleen.

Symptoms of severe disease vary. They may include:

Problems with mental or motor skills.
Blindness or other vision problems.
Hearing problems.
Seizures.
Heart disorders.
Yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes, also called jaundice.
Rash.

Most babies with toxoplasmosis do not show symptoms. But problems may show up later in childhood or teenage years. These include:

Return of eye infections.
Problems with motor skill development.
Problems with thinking and learning.
Hearing loss.
Slowed growth.
Early puberty.

When to see a doctor

Talk to your health care provider about a test if you are worried about exposure to the parasite. If you are planning a pregnancy or are pregnant, see your provider if you suspect exposure.

The symptoms of severe toxoplasmosis include blurred vision, confusion and loss of coordination. These need immediate medical care, particularly if you have a weakened immune system.

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Causes

Toxoplasma gondii is a parasite that can infect most animals and birds. It can only go through the entire cycle of reproduction in domestic and wild cats. These are the main hosts for the parasite.

Immature eggs, a middle stage of reproduction, can be in the feces of cats. This immature egg allows for the parasite to make its way through the food chain. It can pass from soil and water to plants, animals and humans. Once the parasite has a new host, the reproduction cycle goes on and causes an infection.

If you're in typical health, your immune system keeps the parasites in check. They stay in your body but are not active. This often gives you lifelong immunity. If you're exposed to the parasite again, your immune system would clear it out.

If your immune system is weakened later in life, parasite reproduction can start again. This causes a new active infection that can lead to serious disease and complications.

People often get a toxoplasma infection one of the following ways:

Cat feces with the parasite. Cats that hunt or who are fed raw meat are more likely to carry toxoplasma parasites. You may get infected if you touch your mouth after touching anything that has been in contact with cat feces. This may be gardening or cleaning a litter box.
Contaminated food or water. Undercooked beef, lamb, pork, venison, chicken and shellfish are all known carriers of the parasite. Unpasteurized goat milk and untreated drinking water also may be carriers.
Unwashed fruits and vegetables. The surface of fruits and vegetables may have the parasite on them.
Contaminated kitchen tool. Parasites may be on cutting boards, knives and other utensils that come into contact with raw meat or unwashed fruits and vegetables.
Infected organ transplant or transfused blood. Rarely, toxoplasma parasites are passed through an organ transplant or blood transfusion.

Risk factors

The parasite is found throughout the world. Anyone can become infected.

Risks of serious disease from toxoplasmosis include things that prevent the immune system from fighting infections, such as:

Infection with HIV/AIDS.
Chemotherapy treatment for cancer.
High-dose steroids.
Drugs that prevent the rejection of transplanted organs.

Prevention

Certain precautions can help prevent toxoplasmosis:

Wear gloves when you garden or handle soil. Wear gloves when you work outdoors. Wash your hands with soap and water afterward.
Don't eat raw or undercooked meat. Use a meat thermometer to make sure meat is cooked enough. Cook whole meats and fish to at least 145 F (63 C) and let rest for at least three minutes. Cook ground meat to at least 160 F (71 C). Cook whole and ground poultry to at least 165 F (74 C).
Don't eat raw shellfish. Do not eat raw clams, mussels or oysters, particularly during pregnancy.
Wash kitchen utensils thoroughly. Wash cutting boards, knives and other utensils with soapy water after contact with raw meats or unwashed fruits and vegetables. Wash your hands thoroughly before and after preparing foods.
Wash all fruits and vegetables. Wash fresh fruits and vegetables before eating, peeling or cooking.
Don't drink unpasteurized goat milk. Avoid unpasteurized goat milk or products made from the milk.
Don't drink untreated water. During pregnancy, do not drink untreated water.
Cover children's sandboxes. Cover sandboxes to prevent outdoor cats from using them as litter boxes.

For cat lovers

If you're pregnant or otherwise at risk of toxoplasmosis, take these steps to protect yourself:

Help your cat stay healthy. Keep your cat indoors. Feed it dry or canned cat food, not raw or undercooked meat.
Avoid stray cats or kittens. Avoid stray cats, especially kittens. Do not get a new cat when you're pregnant.
Have someone else clean the litter box. Clean the box daily, if possible. If someone else can't clean it, wear gloves and a face mask to change the litter. Then wash your hands well.

By Mayo Clinic Staff

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Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment

Overview

Ways to reduce your risk of a toxoplasmosis infection. You can also keep your cats indoors and don't feed them uncooked or undercooked meat. Don't eat raw or undercooked seafood or drink untreated water or unpasteurized milk.

What is toxoplasmosis?

Toxoplasmosis is an illness caused by an infection with the parasite Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii). The parasite reproduces in the intestinal tracts of cats. Humans become infected by direct or indirect contact with cat poop (feces) or by eating undercooked meat.

Most people don’t have symptoms when they get infected. But as your immune system attacks the parasite, it creates cysts in your body. The parasite can live inactive (dormant) in these cysts and make you sick when it reactivates at a later time.

Who does toxoplasmosis affect?

While T. gondii can infect anyone, most people won’t have symptoms. Your body usually fights off the parasite without you knowing it was there. Toxoplasmosis is most dangerous in pregnancy and for those with weakened immune systems, like people living with HIV or cancer.

While T. gondii needs cats to reproduce, cat ownership itself doesn’t seem to increase your risk of infection significantly.

Toxoplasmosis in pregnancy

If you get toxoplasmosis during pregnancy or shortly before getting pregnant, you can pass the parasite through the placenta to the fetus. This increases the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth or serious health problems for your future child. Complications of being born with toxoplasmosis include vision problems, blindness, developmental delays and learning differences.

Toxoplasmosis when you’re immunocompromised

If you’re living with HIV or cancer or if you’re taking immune-suppressing medications, your immune system can’t fight off infections like T. gondii. This means you have a compromised immune system (immunocompromised).

While most people can fight off toxoplasmosis without symptoms, a new or reactivated infection can cause life-threatening complications in someone with a weakened immune system.

If you’ve had toxoplasmosis in the past, T. gondii lives in cysts in your body. When your immune system is weakened, it can reactivate and cause you to get sick.

Left untreated, toxoplasmosis can cause organ damage in someone with a compromised immune system. This can eventually lead to death.

How common is toxoplasmosis?

Worldwide, it’s estimated that up to 1 in 3 people are infected with (T. gondii), the parasite that causes toxoplasmosis. Most people who are infected don’t have any symptoms.

Symptoms and Causes

What causes toxoplasmosis?

Toxoplasmosis is caused by an infection by the parasite T. gondii. Humans get toxoplasmosis after accidentally eating (ingesting) something contaminated with the parasite.

Because of the way the parasite hides in your body, you can have symptoms of toxoplasmosis when you’re initially infected or at a later time. When the parasite initially enters your body, some people get flu-like symptoms. But in most cases, your immune system can get rid of the initial infection without causing any symptoms.

While your immune cells are fighting it off, T. gondii makes small sacs (cysts) in your body. It can live in these cysts, inactive (dormant), for long periods of time. Research suggests that the cysts break open periodically and your body fights off the infection. Like the initial infection, this usually causes no symptoms.

If your immune system is weakened, though, these ruptured cysts can cause a new case of toxoplasmosis (reactivation).

How do you get toxoplasmosis?

You typically get toxoplasmosis from ingesting something contaminated with the parasite T. gondii.

T. gondii reproduces in a cat’s intestines and ends up in their poop. Cat poop can contaminate soil, water, plant material and the food we eat.

You can accidentally ingest T. gondii after coming in contact with something that’s contaminated, such as:

Cleaning a cat’s litter box.
Gardening in soil where cats live.
Drinking water that hasn’t been boiled or treated.
Eating unwashed fruits or vegetables.
Eating undercooked or improperly refrigerated meat.

Toxoplasmosis isn’t contagious, but a pregnant person can pass the parasite that causes it to a fetus. You can also get toxoplasmosis after receiving an infected organ transplant or blood transfusion, though this is rare.

What are the symptoms of toxoplasmosis in humans?

The symptoms of toxoplasmosis depend on where the parasite is active. This tends to be different depending on whether it’s a new (acute) infection, a reactivation or present at birth (congenital).

Ocular toxoplasmosis (toxoplasmosis of the eye) symptoms

Ocular toxoplasmosis is an infection of T. gondii in one or both eyes. It’s most common in teens or young adults who were born with a T. gondii infection. Rarely, ocular toxoplasmosis happens when you’re first infected with T. gondii. Symptoms of ocular toxoplasmosis include:

Eye pain.
Blurred vision
Blindness.

Acute toxoplasmosis symptoms

Acute toxoplasmosis is your body’s response to an initial infection with T. gondii. Most people don’t feel sick, but you might have flu-like symptoms, including:

Fever.
Fatigue.
Muscle aches.
Painless, swollen lymph nodes in your neck or armpits.
Sore throat.
Enlarged liver and spleen (hepatosplenomegaly).
Ocular toxoplasmosis (rare).

Reactivated toxoplasmosis symptoms

If you have a weakened immune system (immunocompromised), you might have had a previous T. gondii infection that reactivates when your body is no longer able to fight off infections easily. This includes people living with AIDS or cancer, or those on medications that suppress the immune system. Reactivated toxoplasmosis usually causes symptoms related your brain and spinal cord (central nervous system or CNS). CNS symptoms can include:

Headaches.
Confusion.
Seizures.
Fever.
Facial paralysis.
Vision changes.
Numbness.
Weakness or loss of motor skills.
Toxoplasmic encephalitis.
Coma.

Congenital toxoplasmosis symptoms

Congenital (present at birth) toxoplasmosis is passed from a pregnant person to the fetus. Some babies won’t have any symptoms at birth, but are at high risk for developing them later on. These symptoms may include:

Yellowish skin and eyes (jaundice).
Rash.
Enlarged liver and spleen (hepatosplenomegaly).
Vision loss, eye pain or sensitivity to light (retinochoroiditis).
Calcium deposits in their brain.
Fluid on the brain (hydrocephalus).
Small head size (microcephaly).
Seizures.
Delays in motor skill development.
Learning delays or differences.
Ocular toxoplasmosis.

Diagnosis and Tests

How is toxoplasmosis diagnosed?

To diagnose toxoplasmosis, your healthcare provider will perform a physical exam and ask you about your symptoms. They may order blood tests, biopsies, imaging (CT scan or MRI), a lumbar puncture or, if you’re pregnant, amniocentesis or ultrasound.

What tests will be done to diagnose toxoplasmosis?

To diagnose toxoplasmosis, your healthcare provider may order some or all of these tests:

Blood tests: Blood tests are almost always performed to diagnose toxoplasmosis. Your provider uses a needle to take blood from your vein, which they then send to a lab to look for antibodies to T. gondii. They may also look for parts of the parasite (DNA).
Biopsy: Rarely, your healthcare provider may take a small amount of tissue and send it to a lab to look for signs of T. gondii.
Imaging: If your healthcare provider suspects that you have toxoplasmosis in your brain, they may have a CT scan or MRI performed. This is where you lie down in a machine that takes pictures of your brain. Your provider reviews the images to see if there are any changes that indicate toxoplasmosis.
Lumbar puncture: If your healthcare provider suspects that you have toxoplasmosis in your brain or spinal cord, they may perform a lumbar puncture. In this procedure, your provider uses a needle to draw cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from your lower back. It will be sent to a lab to look for signs of T. gondii.
Amniocentesis: If you’re pregnant and have been diagnosed with toxoplasmosis, your healthcare provider may recommend an amniocentesis. Your provider uses a small needle to collect cells from the fluid surrounding the fetus. It will be sent to a lab to look for signs of T. gondii.
Ultrasound: If you’re pregnant and have been diagnosed with toxoplasmosis, your healthcare provider may recommend an ultrasound. During an ultrasound, your provider passes a hand-held device over your abdomen to get images of the fetus. This can’t diagnose toxoplasmosis on its own, but it can show changes to in the fetus's brain that could indicate an infection.

Management and Treatment

How is it toxoplasmosis treated?

Toxoplasmosis is treated with a combination of anti-parasitic medicines and antibiotics. These stop T. gondii from growing and reproducing in your body.

Folinic acid is given during toxoplasmosis treatment to reduce the side effects of the anti-parasitic medications.

Toxoplasmosis isn’t usually treated in people who don’t have a compromised immune system and don’t have any symptoms. Treatment for toxoplasmosis can only work when parasites are active. It can’t get rid of the cysts the parasites leave in your body.

What medications are used to treat toxoplasmosis?

These medications are typically used to treat toxoplasmosis:

Pyrimethamine.
Sulfadiazine.
Atovaquone.
Spiramycin (before 18 weeks of pregnancy).
Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole.
Clindamycin.
Leucovorin.

How soon after treatment will I feel better?

Most treatment plans for toxoplasmosis last two to six weeks, but you may start to feel better in only a few days. It may take three weeks to six months for brain injuries caused by the parasite to fully resolve.

Even if you feel better, you may have to stay on treatment for a long time to make sure the active parasites have been destroyed. If you’re pregnant and have been diagnosed with toxoplasmosis, you’ll probably have to take medication for the rest of the pregnancy. Treatment for congenital toxoplasmosis can last up to a year. Treatment in those with weakened immune systems can be given indefinitely.

How do I take care of myself with toxoplasmosis?

If you’re pregnant and have been diagnosed with toxoplasmosis, follow your healthcare provider’s recommendation to reduce the risk of passing it to the fetus.

If you have a weakened immune system and have been diagnosed with toxoplasmosis, you and your healthcare provider can make a plan for treating toxoplasmosis while managing any other underlying conditions.

Prevention

How can I prevent toxoplasmosis?

Safe food preparation and hand washing are the most important things you can do to help prevent toxoplasmosis.

Follow safe freezing and cooking practices before eating meat.
Peel fruits and vegetables or wash thoroughly before eating.
Wash cutting boards, counters, utensils and dishes with soapy water after use.
Don’t drink unpasteurized milk.
Don’t eat raw or undercooked clams, oysters or mussels.
Don’t drink untreated water.
Wear gloves when gardening and while working with soil or sand. Wash hands with soap and water afterward.
Cover outdoor sandboxes.
Don’t feed cats raw or undercooked meats.
Change cat litter daily. Wear gloves and wash your hands with soap and water afterward.
Keep cats indoors.

If you’re pregnant or have a compromised immune system:

Avoid changing cat litter yourself if possible.
If you must change cat litter, wear disposable gloves and wash your hands thoroughly afterward.
Don’t adopt a new cat or take in a stray cat

Outlook / Prognosis

What is the outlook for toxoplasmosis?

The outlook for toxoplasmosis varies. People with healthy immune systems rarely develop serious complications from toxoplasmosis.

In congenital toxoplasmosis, more than 70% of children will reach developmental milestones as expected with prompt treatment.

In patients with a weakened immune system, toxoplasmosis is most often found in the brain. With treatment, survival rates are at least 70%. Without treatment, toxoplasmosis of the brain is fatal.

Does toxoplasmosis ever go away?

Because of the cysts left behind by T. gondii, toxoplasmosis may never be fully cured. Medication can treat an active infection, but it doesn’t destroy the cysts.

If you have a healthy immune system, the cysts shouldn’t reactivate. But if you have a weakened immune system or if you have congenital toxoplasmosis, the parasite can reactivate and make you sick in the future.

Living With

How do I take care of myself with toxoplasmosis?

If you’ve been diagnosed with toxoplasmosis, keep an eye on your symptoms. Whether you’ve been prescribed treatment or not, call your healthcare provider if they don’t improve or get worse.

If your child was diagnosed with toxoplasmosis at birth, work closely with their pediatrician to make sure they get appropriate treatment. Follow up even after treatment is done on their provider’s recommended schedule. Know what signs of reactivation to look for.

When should I see my healthcare provider?

If you’re pregnant or plan to become pregnant or if you have a compromised immune system, you should talk to your healthcare provider about steps you can take to prevent toxoplasmosis in yourself or your future child.

If you have symptoms of toxoplasmosis, especially if you have a compromised immune system, contact your provider right away.

What questions should I ask my doctor?

What special precautions should I take to prevent toxoplasmosis?
How can I prevent transmission of toxoplasmosis during pregnancy?

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if my cat has toxoplasmosis?

Like humans, cats often don’t show any symptoms of toxoplasmosis. Ask your veterinarian if you have questions about toxoplasmosis in your pet cat.

What percent of cat owners have toxoplasmosis?

Since there are usually no symptoms, it’s difficult to determine what percentage of cat owners have toxoplasmosis. However, research suggests that cat ownership itself doesn’t put you at significantly higher risk than others.

Do I have to get rid of my cat if I’m pregnant or have a weakened immune system?

No, you don’t necessarily have to get rid of your cat if you’re pregnant or have a weakened immune system. Cat lovers can take precautions to reduce the risk of toxoplasmosis.

Keeping your cat indoors, having someone else change the litterbox frequently and not feeding your cat raw or undercooked meat all reduce the risk of you and your cat getting toxoplasmosis. If you do have to change the litterbox, wear gloves and a mask and wash your hands immediately after.

Finally, don’t take in stray cats or adopt a new cat while you’re pregnant or have a weakened immune system.

A note from Cleveland Clinic

Toxoplasmosis isn’t typically a serious illness, but it’s a unique threat to people during pregnancy or those who have compromised immune systems. Fortunately, there are many ways to help prevent an infection. Talk to your healthcare provider about how to reduce your risk of toxoplasmosis based on your specific circumstances.

Toxoplasma gondii, IgG (quantitative)

Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic disease caused by a member of the protozoan Toxoplasma gondii. It poses the greatest danger to pregnant women, as it can lead to abnormalities in the development of the fetus and even to its death.

Synonyms Russian

IgG antibodies to toxoplasma gondii.

English synonyms

Antitoxo-IgG, toxoplasma gondii Antibodies, IgG, toxoplasmosis antibodies, IgG.

Research method

Solid phase chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassay ("sandwich" method).

Units

IU/ml (international unit per milliliter).

What biomaterial can be used for research?

Venous blood.

How to properly prepare for an examination?

Do not smoke for 30 minutes before the test.

General information about the study

T. gondii is a microscopic parasite whose main host is the cat. It can also be found in soil.

In most healthy people, this infection does not cause any symptoms or occurs in the form of mild influenza-like illness. In a fetus infected by the mother, or in a person with a weakened immune system, T. gondii can lead to severe complications.

T. gondii is very common. It occurs worldwide, and in some countries up to 9 are infected.5% of the population. According to WHO, about 23% of people over the age of 12 suffer from toxoplasmosis. Infection occurs through ingestion of contaminated food (especially undercooked meat) or water, as well as cleaning up cat litter, mother-to-child transmission, and rarely during organ transplants or blood transfusions.

The definitive hosts for T. Gondii are wild and domestic cats. After cats become infected by eating infected birds, rodents, or raw meat, the gondii go through a sexual cycle of development leading to the formation of eggs enclosed in a protective shell (oocyst). During the activity of the pathogen in a cat, millions of microscopic oocysts can be excreted in the feces in a few weeks. They become infectious within two days and may remain viable for several months. In all other hosts, including humans, t. gondii go through only a limited part of their life cycle and then form inactive cysts in the muscles, brain, and eyes. The host's immune system protects the human body from further infection. The latency period can last for the lifetime of the host until immunity declines.

Primary or re-infection with T. gondii leads to severe symptoms in people with weakened immune systems, such as HIV/AIDS patients undergoing chemotherapy, organ transplant patients, or those taking immunosuppressants. The eyes and nervous system can be affected, causing headaches, seizures, confusion, fever, encephalitis, incoordination, and blurred vision.

When a pregnant woman becomes infected, there is a 30-40% chance that the infection will be passed on to an unborn child. Moreover, if infection occurs at the beginning of pregnancy, it can cause miscarriages, stillbirths, or lead to serious complications in newborns, including mental retardation, seizures, blindness, and an enlarged liver or spleen. Many infected children, especially those who become infected closer to birth, are born healthy but develop severe eye infections, hearing loss, and mental retardation years later.

When a person comes into contact with T. gondii, their immune system reacts by producing antibodies against the parasite. Two types of antibodies to toxolplasma can be detected in the blood: IgM and IgG.

IgG antibodies are produced by the body several weeks after the initial infection to provide long-term protection. The IgG level rises during infection activity and then stabilizes as soon as the disease clears and the parasite becomes inactive. Once confronted with T. gondii, a person will have some measurable amount of IgG antibodies in the blood throughout his life.

This test can be used, along with an IgM test, to help confirm the presence of an acute or past Toxoplasma infection.

What is research used for?

To determine if a woman who is planning pregnancy has been infected with T. gondii and is immune to the infection. During pregnancy, testing is necessary if a possible infection is suspected.
To detect infection in immunocompromised people who are suspected of having toxoplasmosis or who have severe symptoms.

When is the test ordered?

For symptoms of toxoplasmosis.
If the patient has been in contact with cat feces, raw (poorly cooked) meat, or contaminated water.
If a doctor wants to determine if a woman has had toxoplasmosis before.
At the stage of preparation for pregnancy to determine the intensity of immunity to this infection.
For symptoms of flu-like illness in people with weakened immune systems.

What do the results mean?

Reference values

Result: negative.

Negative result
Questionable result	> 1 -
Positive result	> 3 IU/mL (or equal to 3)

Reason for positive result:

activation of latent infection and/or chronic infection,
current or previous infection.

Reasons for a negative result:

no previous infection with the pathogen - if there are no symptoms of toxoplasmosis.

If an infection is suspected, it is recommended to repeat the test after 10-14 days, since during the initial infection, antibodies may simply not have time to be produced by the immune system.

Care should be taken when interpreting test results in immunocompromised individuals. In this case, a strong immune response to T. gondii does not always develop - the level of IgM and IgG will then be lower than expected in the presence of an active form of toxoplasmosis.

Important Notes

Examination for toxoplasmosis must be comprehensive and include, in addition to the test for Toxoplasma gondii, IgG, other tests.
The main source of infection with toxoplasmosis is poorly cooked or raw meat, especially pork, lamb and venison, as well as contaminated water, unpasteurized milk and unwashed fruits and vegetables that are grown on contaminated soil.
T. gondii is the most common cause of intraocular inflammatory diseases worldwide.
Toxoplasmosis is not transmitted from person to person, except for intrauterine infection (from mother to child).

Also recommended

Toxoplasma gondii, IgM (quantitative)
Toxoplasma gondii DNA [real-time PCR]

Who orders the examination?

Gynecologist, infectious disease specialist, therapist, pediatrician.

causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment

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IMPORTANT!

The information in this section should not be used for self-diagnosis or self-treatment. In case of pain or other exacerbation of the disease, only the attending physician should prescribe diagnostic tests. For diagnosis and proper treatment, you should contact your doctor.
For a correct assessment of the results of your analyzes in dynamics, it is preferable to do studies in the same laboratory, since different laboratories may use different research methods and units of measurement to perform the same analyzes.

Toxoplasmosis: causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.

Definition

Toxoplasmosis is a widespread parasitic disease affecting the nervous system, eyes, spleen, liver, and heart. According to WHO, the number of people infected with Toxoplasma is about 1.5 billion people.

Toxoplasmosis is usually asymptomatic in adults. The disease with clinical manifestations often develops in the most susceptible and vulnerable group of the population - children.

Causes of toxoplasmosis

The causative agent of toxoplasmosis is Toxoplasma gondii . Toxoplasma is an intracellular parasite that is capable of asexual reproduction in human tissue cells. In the process of reproduction, accumulations of parasites are formed inside the cell with the formation of pseudocysts. In the case of a chronic process, true cysts with their own membrane are formed.

A person is an intermediate host and becomes infected with sporozoites - invasive forms of Toxoplasma that can enter the body.

Sporozoites are excreted in the faeces of cats, and if personal hygiene rules are violated, a person becomes infected (this explains such a frequent infection with toxoplasma in early childhood due to the behavioral characteristics of children and their hygiene skills that are not developed).

Another form of toxoplasma - cystozoites - they enter the human body when eating the meat of sick animals, if it was poorly thermally processed.

Toxoplasma enters the lymphatic system through the gastrointestinal tract and with the lymph flow into the lymph nodes. At this stage, against the background of intensive reproduction of Toxoplasma, inflammatory changes are formed in the lymphoid tissue. The parasites then enter the systemic circulation and spread throughout the body. Depending on the end point of their migration, the corresponding clinical picture of the disease develops.

Reproduction in the cells of organs is accompanied by the release of toxic waste products of toxoplasma, which can cause allergic reactions in the body.

The immune system eventually destroys all vegetative forms that are capable of reproduction, and only Toxoplasma cysts remain in the body, hidden from immunological surveillance due to the thick shell.

Under the influence of factors that reduce the immune forces of the body (for example, HIV, the use of cytostatics, glucocorticosteroid therapy), it is possible to re-activate Toxoplasma with their further spread throughout the body.

If infection occurs during pregnancy (after the 2nd month), Toxoplasma can enter the fetal circulation and lead to the development of the disease, as well as the formation of severe malformations.

Classification of the disease

Depending on the timing of infection with toxoplasmosis, congenital toxoplasmosis (with intrauterine infection) and acquired (when infection occurred after birth) are distinguished.

With the development of clinical symptoms, mild, moderate and severe forms of toxoplasmosis are distinguished.

Symptoms of toxoplasmosis

The clinical picture of toxoplasmosis depends on the form of the disease.

The most common asymptomatic primary toxoplasma infection, which in the absence of immunodeficiency factors does not manifest itself.

In rare cases, Toxoplasma infection in previously healthy people causes an increase in body temperature, a slight increase and soreness of the lymph nodes, a maculopapular rash, often mistaken for urticaria (red in color with small elevations - papules), and liver enlargement. Even less often, Toxoplasma causes inflammation in the organs of vision.

The incubation period for toxoplasmosis ranges from 3 days to several months. Usually it is asymptomatic, in rare cases, patients complain of weakness and headache.

In the acute form of toxoplasmosis, at the end of the incubation period, the temperature suddenly rises to 39 ° C degrees, severe weakness, headache and muscle pain appear, appetite decreases, sometimes there are rashes on the skin. The rash is distributed evenly throughout the body, rarely occurs on the scalp, palms and feet. The nature of the rash is maculopapular with a tendency to merge. At the same time, the lymph nodes, liver and spleen increase. When the heart is damaged, cardiac arrhythmias are recorded. Mental disorders, loss of consciousness, paresis and paralysis, repeated vomiting, severe headaches are possible - all these symptoms indicate damage to the central nervous system.

In a mild form of acute toxoplasmosis, the disease is manifested by malaise, a slight rise in temperature, nausea, and diarrhea.

Usually acquired toxoplasmosis ends with recovery.

In the chronic course of toxoplasmosis, such a vivid clinical picture is not observed. Symptoms of chronic intoxication are revealed: weakness, loss of appetite, sleep disturbance, discomfort in muscles and joints, fatigue, irritability, headaches, heart palpitations. One of the frequent manifestations of chronic toxoplasmosis is progressive eye damage. In rare cases, convulsions.

A long course of the disease can lead to a decrease in intellectual development and various mental disorders.

Congenital toxoplasmosis is also divided into acute and chronic. In acute congenital toxoplasmosis, the child's condition from the first days is severe, the prognosis is unfavorable.

In the chronic form, damage to the nervous system is often noted with a delay in the mental and physical development of the child.

Milder forms appear at the age of 5-7 years in the form of increased fatigue, seizures and eye damage.

Diagnosis of toxoplasmosis

Diagnosis of toxoplasmosis is carried out on the basis of patient complaints, examination data and a set of laboratory and instrumental methods of examination. The scope of the examination may vary depending on the clinical picture, the severity of the disease, as well as the presence of complications.

The following diagnostic methods can be prescribed to identify the pathogen:

toxoplasma, determination of DNA in blood serum;

Toxoplasma, determination of DNA (Toxoplasma gondii, DNA) in blood serum

Determination of Toxoplasma (Toxoplasma gondii) DNA in blood serum by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with real-time detection. Toxop...

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RUB 695

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toxoplasma, determination of DNA in the effusion;

Toxoplasma gondii DNA detection in effusion

Toxoplasma gondii DNA detection in effusion by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with real-time detection. Toxoplasmosis &nda...

Up to 4 business days

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475 RUB

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Toxoplasma, DNA detection in cerebrospinal fluid;

Toxoplasma gondii DNA detection in cerebrospinal fluid

Toxoplasma gondii DNA detection in cerebrospinal fluid by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with real-time detection. ...

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475 RUB

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antibodies of the IgG class to Toxoplasma gondii and antibodies of the IgM class to Toxoplasma gondii;

Anti-Toxo-IgG (IgG class antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii)

Class G antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii). Class G antibodies are produced against Toxoplasma antigen in acute, subacute, chronic and latent forms...

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715 RUB

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Anti-Toxo-IgM

Synonyms: Blood test for antibodies to toxoplasma; IgM antibodies to toxoplasma; Toxoplasmosis IgM. Toxoplasmosis antibodies, IgM Brief description of the study "Antibodies to ...

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RUB 915

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avidity of IgG antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii.

Avidity of IgG antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii (anti-Toxo-IgG avidity)

Toxoplasmosis is included in the group of reproductively significant infections, referred to as the TORCH complex (the name is formed by the initial letters in Latin names ...

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RUB 1,230

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Additional diagnostic methods that allow assessing damage to other organs and systems in toxoplasmosis include:

electroencephalography;

Electroencephalography (EEG)

EEG is a safe and painless method for studying the functional state of the brain.

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computed tomography of the brain;

CT scan of the brain and skull

Scanning of the brain, skull and surrounding tissues, which allows diagnosing various pathologies.

RUB 4,590 Sign up

chest x-ray;

Plain chest x-ray

X-ray examination of the structure of the lungs to diagnose various pathologies.

RUB 2,440 Sign up

ultrasound examination of the abdominal organs;

Comprehensive ultrasound examination of the abdominal organs (liver, gallbladder, pancreas, spleen)

Scanning of the internal organs of the abdominal cavity to assess its functional state and the presence of pathology.

RUB 2,890 Sign up

echocardiography.

Echocardiography

Examination to assess functional and organic changes in the heart, its contractility, as well as the condition of the valvular apparatus.

RUB 3,890 Sign up

Which doctors to contact

If the above complaints appear, you should contact an infectious disease specialist, pediatrician or general practitioner. The doctor will draw up an individual plan for diagnosis and treatment, as well as, if necessary, appoint consultations of narrow specialists. In the case of the development of symptoms of damage to the nervous system, treatment is carried out in conjunction with a neurologist and psychiatrist. If the heart is damaged, consultation with a cardiologist is required, with the development of allergic reactions - an allergist-immunologist.

Treatment of toxoplasmosis

The treatment of toxoplasmosis includes various tactics of patient management, depending on the form and severity of the disease. With the development of acute toxoplasmosis, etiotropic treatment is used - drugs that act directly on toxoplasma.

Your doctor may recommend taking vitamin supplements with folic acid. In severe cases, glucocorticosteroids are used. For allergic reactions, antihistamines are used. As a symptomatic treatment, depending on the specific case of the disease, sedatives or choleretic agents may be prescribed.

Complications

Complications of toxoplasmosis are more often recorded in the congenital form and in cases of severe immunodeficiency.

The most dangerous group of complications are lesions of the central nervous system with the development of encephalitis (inflammatory lesions of the brain and / or spinal cord), meningitis (inflammation of the membranes of the brain and / or spinal cord), epileptiform (convulsive) syndrome, paralysis, mental disorders.

The most common among all complications is eye damage in the form of progressive myopia, loss of visual fields, chorioretinitis (inflammation of the choroid and retina of the eye) and atrophy of the optic nerve with the development of complete blindness.

If the heart is affected, myocarditis (inflammatory damage to heart cells), as well as life-threatening arrhythmias and heart failure, may develop.

Prevention of toxoplasmosis

The main method of prevention is non-specific measures: it is important to prevent the pollution of playgrounds with cat feces, to carry out timely treatment of pets, to limit pregnant women and children from contact with cats, to thermally process meat, and most importantly, to observe the rules of personal hygiene and teach them to children.

All pregnant women registered with the antenatal clinic are examined for toxoplasmosis. Berman R.E., Kligman R.M., Jenson H.B. Pediatrics according to Nelson: in 5 volumes - 2009. - 824 p.

Uchaikin V.F., Nisevich I.I., Shamsheva O.V. Infectious diseases in children: a textbook. - M.: GEOTAR-Media, 2011. 688 p.

IMPORTANT!