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PubMed2000

Hypothalamic origin of reproductive failure in chronic experimental toxoplasmosis.

Laboratory bred female mice were used to study the effect of chronic toxoplasmosis on reproductive performance. The animals were infected with small dose (3 x 10(3)) tachyzoites of Toxoplasma parasites. The female mice were mixed with normal males for one week, then separated to monitor their reproductive performance one and two months post infection (p.i). Mice bred one month p.i. showed reproductive failure with one of twenty females delivered two sick newborns. The others did not complete pregnancy and faetal wastage occurred. Mice bred two months p.i. were infertile. Histopathological examination of the ovaries revealed impaired folliculogenesis and atropic degeneration. Coronal sections of cerebrum showed widespread vasculitis, focal disruption of the ependymal cells lining both the lateral and third ventricles. The supraoptic and paraventricular hypothalamic nuclei were deformed and showed pyknotic neurons. Immunoperoxidase staining was used to detect IgG and IgM deposits in brain tissue. IgG deposits were found on the vicinity of Toxoplasma cysts and focally in the paraventricular zone. So, the reproductive failure of infected mice was due to hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism secondary to hypothalamic dysfunction as a result of chronic toxoplasmosis.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

[Evaluation of the functional state and working capacity of patients with chronic toxoplasmosis].

Operator's main functions were studied in 78 patients with chronic toxoplasmosis during the period of disease aggravation and during the following 6 months. It was revealed that marked disorders in higher nervous activity and psychomotor system are observed in the patients during the period of aggravation, significantly more expressed during disease recurring course. It is reasonable to examine servicemen with chronic toxoplasmosis using psychologic and psychophysiologic methods before treatment and in 6 months after its completion. Without clear tendency towards improvement of professionally significant qualities in 6 months after treatment (level of neurotization, psychopathyzation, comparative number of mistakes in attention test and during reckon in head, delayed memory, positive tapping-test) it is not recommended to use servicemen at the posts having operator's profile and connected with long staying in secluded small collectives.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Screening for congenital toxoplasmosis in Brazil.

Toxoplasmosis acquired at the end of the pregnancy can produce ocular and neurological sequelae. The detection of IgM anti-Toxoplasma gondii in dried blood spots of newborns is an important tool for early treatment and prevention. In this study we showed results of a pilot study about the prevalence of congenital toxoplasmosis in Brazil and concluded that this disease should be included in the menu of neonatal screening programs.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

[The false myth of toxoplasmosis in salami].

On the basis of available literature concerning Toxoplama gondii infection in swine (swine toxoplasmosis) and the resistance of parasite to heating, freezing, gamma-radiation, salting, seasoning and production processes of "cooked" and "fermented" salami, the possible risk of transmission of the disease from pig (where toxoplasmosis is widely diffuse) to man is discussed. No risk of transmission of the disease, even to children and pregnant women, can derive from the consumption of cooked meat, cooked or salted-fermented salami and ham. The only risk could be related to eating of even small amount of fresh sausages or chitterlings (especially heart, brain and other viscera) and consumption of not drinking water.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

[Cerebral toxoplasmosis in HIV infected patients intolerant of cotrimoxazole].

Using results of a multicentric randomized prospective trial of primary prophylaxis of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in HIV-infected patients which compared sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim and pentamidine isethionate, the risk to develop cerebral toxoplasmosis was analyzed in the two assigned groups and in the groups of patients who stopped sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim prophylaxis. The risk to develop cerebral toxoplasmosis appeared significantly higher in the group of patients who stopped sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim consecutively to cutaneous hypersensitivity.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
PubMed2001

Abnormal ACTH-stimulation test in a patient with AIDS: adrenal insufficiency or toxoplasmosis?

We here report a 32-year old homosexual man with AIDS who had an abnormal ACTH stimulation test while taking megestrol actetate (megace). On further evaluation, he was found to have recurrent Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (spleen) and intracranial toxoplasmosis, perhaps imitating or aggravating symptoms suggestive of adrenal insufficiency (AI). We diagnosed secondary AI due to megace treatment and tapered this medication under simultaneous hydrocortisone replacement therapy. After the patient's intracranial toxoplasmosis had been treated with intravenous bactrim, his symptoms disappeared. We conclude that patients with AIDS on megace therapy should receive special attention in regards to the potential development of AI, especially in stress situations such as infections or pain.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed2001

Toxoplasmosis. Are cats really the source?

BACKGROUND: Toxoplasmosis is a zoonotic infection caused by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii. It would appear to be one of the commonest human infections, but is usually asymptomatic. It is only problematic if the patient is pregnant or immunosuppressed. OBJECTIVE: To discuss the epidemiology, clinical features, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of toxoplasmosis. DISCUSSION: Cats have long been blamed for playing a major role as the reservoir of this infection. To some extent, this is true, although contact with infected raw meat is probably a more important cause of human infection in many countries. Direct contact with pet cats is also a less common risk factor for infection than ingestion of the oocyst from faecally contaminated hands (often via soil).

Adolescent↗
PubMed1975

Chemotherapy in experimental toxoplasmosis: comparison of the efficacy of trimethoprim-sulfur and pyrimethamine-sulfur combinations.

Mice infected by intraperitoneal inoculation of the RH strain of Toxoplasma gondii were treated with various drugs. Trimethoprim was found to have no effect. Sulphamethoxazole, sulphadiazine and pyrimethamine had significant therapeutic effects on the course of murine toxoplasmosis. The therapeutic efficacy of sulphamethoxazole was enhanced by the addition of trimethoprim. A pyrimethamine-sulphadiazine combination was found to be superior to a trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole combination in the treatment of experimental murine toxoplasmosis.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Evaluation of soluble adhesion molecules in the diagnosis of amoebiasis, giardiasis and toxoplasmosis.

A total of 47 patients with toxoplasmosis (21 cases) with amoebic liver abscess (14 cases) and with giardiasis (12 cases) as well as 14 healthy control were subjected to thorough history taking, clinical examination, stool & urine analysis, complete blood picture, ESR, C-reactive protein, ASO, widal test, blood cultures, liver function tests, serum creatinine, hepatitis viral markers, rheumatoid factor, auto-antibodies, stool culture, rectal snip, chest X-ray, abdominal sonar, level of serum adhesion molecules (sICAM-1, sELAM-1), ELISA detection of Toxoplasma antibodies in serum, liver biopsy, detection and counting of Giardia cysts. In toxoplasmosis group, highly significant increase in serum levels of sICAM-1 (P<0.01) and significant increase in serum levels of sELAM-1 (P<0.05) in comparison to control. However, only sICAM-1 levels were significantly increased in IgM cases more than in IgG cases. In amoebic liver abscess group, both sICAM-1 and sELAM-1 significantly increased when compared with control. In giardiasis group, highly significant increase of serum levels of sELAM-1 was noticed than in control group (P<0.01), while sICAM-1 showed no significant difference (P>0.05). There was no correlation between sELAM-1 and number of cysts in the stool (intensity of infection). Soluble forms of adhesion molecules especially sICAM-1 have the potentiality as good markers of endothelial damage, severity of disease and to less extend load of infection.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

[Some aspects of immune response in toxoplasmosis].

OBJECTIVE: The study was performed to determine cell-mediated and humoral responses related to the clinical course of disease in adults with different forms of toxoplasmosis. METHODS: The cellular response was estimated by blastogenic transformation of T-lymphocytes induced by OKT3 mitogenic stimulus, as well as by a specific soluble toxoplasmic antigen. The phenotype analysis of T-lymphocytes was performed using monoclonal antibody on FACS flow cytometer. The humoral response was examined by determining the levels of toxoplasma-specific IgA, IgM and IgG antibodies and total serum immunoglobulins. RESULTS: Significant disruption of the cell-mediated response was not observed (T-lymphocyte proliferation test). In the group of patients with lymphadenopathy, an increased proportion of CD8+ lymphocytes was only noted in the first month of the disease, although enlargement of the cervical lymph nodes was observed for up to a year. The individuals in question were found to have IgA antibodies against the p30 antigen of T. gondii, mainly in the period of disease up to 7 months. The proportion of CD4+ lymphocytes was sub-normal in all patients of this group who were studied in the first two months of the disease, and in most of those studied later. Three out of 14 patients with the ocular form of toxoplasmosis only had recent foci of inflammation in the retina, and were also found to have specific IgM. These patients had depressed CD4+ levels, and showed no reaction from CD8+ lymphocytes. CONCLUSIONS: Sub-normal CD4+ population could have been the cause of the weak stimulation of CD8+ cells and an expression of this is the long course of disease. Sub-normal CD4+ cells may be also results the suppressing effect of the parasite.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Seroepidemiology of toxoplasmosis among HIV-infected patients and healthy blood donors.

A cross-sectional study was carried out in University of Malaya Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur. Blood samples from 100 HIV-infected patients and 203 Healthy Blood Donors (HBD) were collected and anti-Toxoplasma antibodies were detected by using conventional ELISA. The seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis in HIV/AIDS and Healthy Blood Donors were found to be 21% and 28.1% respectively. There was no significant association between the seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis and various possible risk factors i.e. contact with cat, consumption of undercooked meat and history of blood transfusion in both groups. No significant differences between Toxoplasma seroprevalence in HIV/AIDS and Healthy Blood Donors in association with presence of single or multiple risk factors were found. The mean CD4 count among HIV/AIDS patients in this study was 202.23 cell/cumm. There was no significant association between CD4 count and seropositivity for Toxoplasma antibodies in HIV/AIDS patients.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

[Clinical and therapy features of ocular toxoplasmosis in patients with HIV-AIDS infection].

UNLABELLED: The paper presents clinical and therapy features of the ocular Toxoplasmosis in patients with HIV-AIDS infection. Four cases of AIDS have been observed in witch has been recognized the ocular toxoplasmosis (two at children and two at adults). It was watched the evolution under treatment of the lesions caused by the parasite and it was appreciated the efficiency of the therapy. CONCLUSION: The antitoxoplasmosis therapy is made in the same way as at the immunocompetents patients, but it must be followed by a maintenance treatment all the patience's life.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Effect of deferoxamine alone and combined with pyrimethamine on acute toxoplasmosis in mice.

The standard regimen of treatment for toxoplasmosis is pyrimethamine with sulfadiazine. However, it is not suitable in some conditions, and nontolerable in AIDS patients. Deferoxamine (DFO), an iron chelator, is well tolerated clinically in transfusion induced - iron overload. The present study had shown that DFO is a promising drug against acute toxoplasmosis in mice. Three doses of 200, 300 and 400 mg/kg DFO were used either alone or in combination with pyrimethamine. Alone, it was effective in a dose- related response with the resultant of 70% protection of infected mice. When DFO was combined with a low minimally effective dose of pyrimethamine, a 100% protection was recorded with the prolongation in duration of survival of mice. Different possible mechanisms of action of DFO against Toxoplasma gondii were discussed.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2003

[Toxoplasma and toxoplasmosis].

Toxoplasmosis is a zoonotic protozoal disease, caused by an obligatory intracellular parasite of the genus Toxoplasma. The disease is widely distributed affecting more than a billion milliard people, worldwide. Raising sheep and cattle, handling and eating raw meat, interaction with domestic cats and climate conditions play an important role in the distribution of the disease. Both Toxoplasma and Plasmodium belong to the Phylum Apicomplexa, and are, therefore, almost similarly sensitive to anti-malarial drugs. Toxoplasmosis is considered to be viscerotropic in adults and children and neurotropic in fetal and newborn children. An accurate and fast diagnosis of the disease is highly important, particularly in pregnant women, since the results may affect both the mother and her fetus. The present study summarizes the old and new techniques available and their importance in the diagnosis of the disease.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Congenital toxoplasmosis.

Approximately 85 percent of women of childbearing age in the United States are susceptible to acute infection with the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii. Transmission of T. gondii to the fetus can result in serious health problems, including mental retardation, seizures, blindness, and death. Some health problems may not become apparent until the second or third decade of life. An estimated 400 to 4,000 cases of congenital toxoplasmosis occur in the United States each year. Serologic tests are used to diagnose acute T. gondii infection in pregnant women. Because false-positive tests occur frequently, serologic diagnosis must be confirmed at a Toxoplasma reference laboratory before treatment with potentially toxic drugs is considered. In many instances, congenital toxoplasmosis can be prevented by educating pregnant women and other women of childbearing age about not ingesting raw or undercooked meat, using measures to avoid cross-contamination of other foods with raw or undercooked meat, and protecting themselves against exposure to cat litter or contaminated soil.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Toxoplasmosis in rabbits confirmed by strain isolation: a potential risk of infection among agricultural workers.

The presence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii IgG antibodies in a high titer of 1:8,000 was found in 2 out of 9 examined rabbits (22.2%), kept on a farm where cases of human toxoplasmosis were noted. A virulent Toxoplasma gondii strain was isolated in mice from the brain of a seropositive rabbit that showed clinical signs of disease: apathy, weight loss, skin lesions. The presence of T. gondii DNA in the peritoneal exudate of mice inoculated with the brain suspension of the dissected rabbit was confirmed by the positive results of PCR test. No toxoplasmas were found in mice inoculated with suspensions of other organs of the examined rabbit (liver, spleen, kidneys, lungs, heart, skeletal muscles). In the sections of the rabbit's brain the typical cysts of Toxoplasma gondii were found, filled with bradyzoites. On the basis of strain isolation and microscopic findings, toxoplasmosis of the central nervous system was diagnosed in the rabbit. The results of this study suggest that rabbits should be considered as a potential source of Toxoplasma infection among agricultural workers.

Agriculture↗
PubMed1992

[Diagnosis of toxoplasmosis by polymerase chain reaction].

Based on the partial sequences of the specific DNA cloned fragment from T. gondii (ZS2 strain) a specific primer of the oligonucleotide for the Toxoplasma gondii DNA sequence has been designed and synthesized in our laboratory. The method of the DNA diagnosis for toxoplasmosis by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has been established. A specific amplified band was shown in the PCR products from DNAs of T. gondii and seven manifold terata. The DNAs from the peripheral blood leukocytes of fifty normal individuals and seventy-five patients as infants with hepatitis syndrome and pregnant women with previous abnormal birth histories were diagnosed by PCR. Among the seventy-five diagnosed cases, ten were positive. The normal individuals all were negative. Using 32P-cloned T. gondii specific DNA fragment as probe and Southern blot assay, the results showed that the probe only hybridized to the specific amplified DNA bands, but did not hybridize to the amplified DNA products of negative cases. Our PCR method is a rapid, highly specific and sensitive one for detecting toxoplasmosis as compared with DNA probing, immunoassay and animal inoculation.

Anencephaly↗
PubMed1992

[Toxoplasmosis and important virus infections in pregnancy-- diagnosis and management].

Toxoplasmosis and viral infections such as rubella, cytomegaly and parvovirus B19 are much feared risk during pregnancy. The rate of connatal toxoplasmosis and of subclinically infected infants at birth with the risk of late manifestation is still unclear, whereas such data are fairly well-known for rubella-, CMV- and parvovirus-B19-infections. The respective major diagnostic issues in pregnancy, the laboratory diagnosis, and its rational use in combination with clinical information are presented. Also the value of passive prophylaxis, therapy, and prenatal diagnosis as well as the possible management for diminishing the infection problems in pregnancy are discussed.

Cytomegalovirus Infections↗