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Canadian Family Physician Medecin de... Apr 2014Question Congenital toxoplasmosis is a dangerous fetal infection. Why is routine screening for Toxoplasma gondii infection during pregnancy not available for most...
Question Congenital toxoplasmosis is a dangerous fetal infection. Why is routine screening for Toxoplasma gondii infection during pregnancy not available for most Canadians? Answer Low prevalence of the infection, high cost associated with testing, low sensitivity of screening tests, false-positive test results, and limitations of treatment effectiveness are all cited as reasons for not routinely screening for T gondii infection in Canada. Currently, screening for the detection of T gondii is only performed in Nunavik and other parts of northern Quebec owing to the high prevalence of infection in this region. Congenital toxoplasmosis causes neurologic or ocular disease (leading to blindness), as well as cardiac and cerebral anomalies.
Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Antiprotozoal Agents; Female; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical; Mass Screening; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious; Pyrimethamine; Spiramycin; Sulfadiazine; Toxoplasmosis; Toxoplasmosis, Congenital
PubMed: 24733322
DOI: No ID Found -
PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases Feb 2015Toxoplasmosis is an important, widespread, parasitic infection caused by Toxoplasma gondii. The chronic infection in immunocompetent patients, usually considered as... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Toxoplasmosis is an important, widespread, parasitic infection caused by Toxoplasma gondii. The chronic infection in immunocompetent patients, usually considered as asymptomatic, is now suspected to be a risk factor for various neurological disorders, including epilepsy. We aimed to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of the available literature to estimate the risk of epilepsy due to toxoplasmosis.
METHODS
A systematic literature search was conducted of several databases and journals to identify studies published in English or French, without date restriction, which looked at toxoplasmosis (as exposure) and epilepsy (as disease) and met certain other inclusion criteria. The search was based on keywords and suitable combinations in English and French. Fixed and random effects models were used to determine odds ratios, and statistical significance was set at 5.0%.
PRINCIPAL FINDINGS
Six studies were identified, with an estimated total of 2888 subjects, of whom 1280 had epilepsy (477 positive for toxoplasmosis) and 1608 did not (503 positive for toxoplasmosis). The common odds ratio (calculated) by random effects model was 2.25 (95% CI 1.27-3.9), p = 0.005.
CONCLUSIONS
Despite the limited number of studies, and a lack of high-quality data, toxoplasmosis should continue to be regarded as an epilepsy risk factor. More and better studies are needed to determine the real impact of this parasite on the occurrence of epilepsy.
Topics: Chronic Disease; Epilepsy; Humans; Middle Aged; Odds Ratio; Risk Factors; Toxoplasma; Toxoplasmosis
PubMed: 25695802
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0003525 -
Parasitology Jan 2020Infections by the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii are widely prevalent in humans and animals in Turkey but little is known of the burden of their clinical... (Review)
Review
Infections by the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii are widely prevalent in humans and animals in Turkey but little is known of the burden of their clinical toxoplasmosis. Many early papers on toxoplasmosis in Turkey were published in Turkish and often not available widely. Here, we review prevalence, clinical spectrum, epidemiology and diagnosis of T. gondii in humans and animals in Turkey. This knowledge should be useful to biologists, public health workers, veterinarians and physicians. Although one-third of the human population in Turkey is seropositive, the rate of congenital toxoplasmosis is unknown and no information is available in children 12 years old or younger. One large outbreak of acute toxoplasmosis has been reported in 14-18-year old school children in Turkey. An alarming rate (36%) of T. gondii tissue cysts were reported in tissues of sheep and water buffalo meats destined for human consumption; these reports require verification. Genetically, T. gondii strains from domestic cats and wild birds in Turkey were generally classical type II and III, like those prevalent in Europe. A separate genotype, Type 1 Africa, was isolated from two congenitally infected children and a domestic cat in Turkey.
Topics: Africa; Animals; Birds; Cats; DNA, Protozoan; Europe; Genotype; Humans; Seroepidemiologic Studies; Toxoplasma; Toxoplasmosis; Turkey
PubMed: 31554526
DOI: 10.1017/S0031182019001318 -
Parasitology Feb 2020The present paper summarizes prevalence, epidemiology and clinical disease of natural Toxoplasma gondii infections in humans and animals from Egypt. The current... (Review)
Review
The present paper summarizes prevalence, epidemiology and clinical disease of natural Toxoplasma gondii infections in humans and animals from Egypt. The current situation of toxoplasmosis in Egypt is confusing. There is no central laboratory or group of researchers actively investigating toxoplasmosis in humans or animals, and no reports on the national level are available. Based on various serological tests and convenience samples, T. gondii infections appear highly prevalent in humans and animals from Egypt. Living circumstances in Egypt favour the transmission of T. gondii. Up to 95% of domestic cats, the key host of T. gondii, are infected with T. gondii; they are abundant in rural and suburban areas, spreading T. gondii oocysts. Many women have been tested in maternity clinics, most with no definitive diagnosis. Toxoplasma gondii DNA and IgM antibodies have been found in blood samples of blood donors. Clinical toxoplasmosis in humans from Egypt needs further investigations using definitive procedures. Reports on congenital toxoplasmosis are conflicting and some reports are alarming. Although there are many serological surveys for T. gondii in animals, data on clinical infections are lacking. Here, we critically review the status of toxoplasmosis in Egypt, which should be useful to biologist, public health workers, veterinarians and physicians.
Topics: Animals; Egypt; Humans; Serologic Tests; Toxoplasmosis; Toxoplasmosis, Animal
PubMed: 31559938
DOI: 10.1017/S0031182019001367 -
Parasitology Research May 2023Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder with a significantly increased incidence rate across the world over the past few years. Toxoplasmosis and cytomegalovirus (CMV)...
Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder with a significantly increased incidence rate across the world over the past few years. Toxoplasmosis and cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection are globally prevalent and have been associated with diverse neurological and psychiatric disorders. A few studies have demonstrated the role of toxoplasmosis and CMV as potential etiological factors for autism. Accordingly, this study was performed to estimate the relationship between toxoplasmosis and CMV infection in children with autism as well as to assess their impact on the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) score. A total of 45 autistic children (6 girls, 39 boys) and 45 (21 girls, 24 boys) healthy control children were enrolled in our study. Their blood samples were collected and tested for the presence of Toxoplasma and CMV (IgG and IgM) antibodies and DNA by ELISA and real-time PCR (RT-PCR), respectively. Toxoplasmosis was detected in 11 (24.4%) autistic children through the ELISA [10 (22.2%) IgG + /IgM - and 1 (2.2%) IgG + /IgM +]; however, RT-PCR assay recorded only 1 positive case (2.2%), while it was detected in 10 (22.2%) control children through ELISA [9 (20%) IgG + /IgM - and 1 (2.2%) IgG + /IgM +] and 1 (2.2%) by RT-PCR. On the other hand, CMV infection was detected in all autistic children with 44 (97.8%) testing positive by ELISA [24 (53.3%) IgG + /IgM - , 18 (40%) IgG + /IgM + and 2 (4.4%) IgG - /IgM +] and 25 (55.6%) testing positive by RT-PCR assay. In addition, ELISA assay recorded 43 (95.6%) [19 (42.2%) IgG + /IgM + and 22 (48.9%) IgG + /IgM - and 2 (4.4%) IgG-/IgM +] and RT-PCR recorded 21 (46.7%) positive samples in control children with CMV. No significant difference was noted between autistic and control children for the overall prevalence of Toxoplasma or/and CMV infection. Similarly, the CARS score indicated a non-significant difference with Toxoplasma or/and CMV infection. Our data does not show an association between autism and toxoplasmosis or/and CMV infection. Nevertheless, considering that autistic children are at a high risk of contracting these infections, further studies with a larger sample size are recommended.
Topics: Male; Female; Humans; Child; Autistic Disorder; Egypt; Toxoplasmosis; Cytomegalovirus Infections; Toxoplasma; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Immunoglobulin M; Immunoglobulin G
PubMed: 36917369
DOI: 10.1007/s00436-023-07818-2 -
BMC Pediatrics Mar 2021Toxoplasmosis resulting from infection with the Toxoplasma parasite has become an endemic disease worldwide. Recently, a few studies have reported a high prevalence of...
BACKGROUND
Toxoplasmosis resulting from infection with the Toxoplasma parasite has become an endemic disease worldwide. Recently, a few studies have reported a high prevalence of Toxoplasmosis infections among Saudi Arabian women. This disease could become life threatening for pregnant women and for immunodeficient people. There is evidence that infections during pregnancy, especially in the early stages, are associated with neurodevelopmental disorders. Autism disorder represents one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders worldwide; it is associated with delayed language development, weak communication interaction, and repetitive behavior. The relationship between prenatal toxoplasmosis and autism in childhood remains unclear. The present study aims to report a link between maternal toxoplasmosis and autistic offspring among Saudi Arabian women.
METHOD
Blood samples (36 maternal, 36 from their non-autistic children, and 36 from their autistic children) were collected for serological and molecular evaluation.
RESULTS
A toxoplasmosis infection was reported for 33.34% of participants using an ELISA assay (5.56% IgG+/IgM+, 11.11% IgG-/IgM+, and 16.67% IgG+/IgM-); however, a nested PCR assay targeting B1 toxoplasmosis specific genes recorded positive tests for 80.56% of the samples. In addition, the present study detected several points of mutation of mtDNA including NADH dehydrogenase (ND1, ND4) and Cyt B genes and the nDNA pyruvate kinase (PK) gene for autistic children infected with toxoplasmosis.
CONCLUSION
Considering previous assumptions, we suggest that a maternal toxoplasmosis infection could have a role in the development of childhood autism linked to mtDNA and nDNA impairment.
Topics: Autistic Disorder; Child; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Female; Humans; Immunoglobulin M; Pregnancy; Saudi Arabia; Toxoplasma; Toxoplasmosis
PubMed: 33731054
DOI: 10.1186/s12887-021-02604-4 -
Postepy Higieny I Medycyny... May 2014Toxoplasmosis is a worldwide infection caused by the intracellular parasite Toxoplasma gondii. At least a third of the world human population is infected with the... (Review)
Review
Toxoplasmosis is a worldwide infection caused by the intracellular parasite Toxoplasma gondii. At least a third of the world human population is infected with the parasite, making it one of the most successful parasitic infections. Primary maternal infection may cause health-threatening sequelae for the fetus, or even cause death of the uterus. Reactivation of a latent infection in immune deficiency conditions such as AIDS and organ transplantation can cause fatal toxoplasmic encephalitis. Toxoplasmosis is a major cause of chorioretinitis, especially in individuals with impaired immune systems. In the acute phase, directly after invading the body, T. gondii begins to multiply rapidly. In the majority of cases acquired toxoplasmosis is asymptomatic. In the second week of infection, specific IgM antibodies are present in the blood. IgE antibodies appear at the same time, slightly preceding specific IgA antibodies. The concentration of IgE can be one of the parameters used for diagnosing an infection with T. gondii. Laboratory diagnosis, i.e. IgE and serologic assays, plays the main role in the diagnosis of congenital infection and assists in the confirmatory diagnosis of toxoplasmic encephalitis and ocular toxoplasmosis. This article is a review of IgE in toxoplasmosis.
Topics: Antibodies, Protozoan; Humans; Immunoglobulin E; Toxoplasma; Toxoplasmosis
PubMed: 24864110
DOI: 10.5604/17322693.1102581 -
Proceedings of the Royal Society of... Dec 1952
Topics: Child; Humans; Infant; Meningitis; Toxoplasmosis; Toxoplasmosis, Congenital
PubMed: 13014099
DOI: No ID Found -
Drug Design, Development and Therapy 2017causes fatal and debilitating brain and eye diseases. Medicines that are currently used to treat toxoplasmosis commonly have toxic side effects and require prolonged... (Review)
Review
causes fatal and debilitating brain and eye diseases. Medicines that are currently used to treat toxoplasmosis commonly have toxic side effects and require prolonged courses that range from weeks to more than a year. The need for long treatment durations and the risk of relapsing disease are in part due to the lack of efficacy against tissue cysts. The challenges for developing a more effective treatment for toxoplasmosis include decreasing toxicity, achieving therapeutic concentrations in the brain and eye, shortening duration, eliminating tissue cysts from the host, safety in pregnancy, and creating a formulation that is inexpensive and practical for use in resource-poor areas of the world. Over the last decade, significant progress has been made in identifying and developing new compounds for the treatment of toxoplasmosis. Unlike clinically used medicines that were repurposed for toxoplasmosis, these compounds have been optimized for efficacy against toxoplasmosis during preclinical development. Medicines with enhanced efficacy as well as features that address the unique aspects of toxoplasmosis have the potential to greatly improve toxoplasmosis therapy. This review discusses the facets of toxoplasmosis that are pertinent to drug design and the advances, challenges, and current status of preclinical drug research for toxoplasmosis.
Topics: Animals; Antiprotozoal Agents; Drug Design; Humans; Toxoplasma; Toxoplasmosis
PubMed: 28182168
DOI: 10.2147/DDDT.S60973 -
Clinical Infectious Diseases : An... May 2021
Topics: Animals; Deer; Disease Outbreaks; Genotype; Humans; Incidence; Meat; Toxoplasma; Toxoplasmosis
PubMed: 32412061
DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciaa288