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PubMed1980

Behavioural abnormalities in Toxoplasma-infected mice.

Observational methods, using video recordings and computer-assisted data analysis, were used to investigete the behaviour of Toxoplasma-infected mice. Infection had a selective effect, increasing the amount of general movement but decreasing the amounts of rearing and digging. In addition infection affected the pattern of bouts of behaviour, increasing the number of shorter bouts, and this was found to underlie a variety of specific behavioural changes. The results indicate that Toxoplasma infection probably affects the animal's response to its environment and the stimulation arising from it, and may even affect endogenous regulatory processes in the brain.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Social interactions of mice with congenital Toxoplasma infection.

The social interactions of male mice with subclinical congenital Toxoplasma infection towards their uninfected counterparts was assessed using a procedure based on the subdivision of behaviour into element groups. Infection had no effect on behavioural elements not directly associated with interaction. However infection was found to increase companion investigation as well as a number of elements directly associated with aggression. There was a complementary decrease in elements associated with flight behaviour. These findings suggest that congenital infection with Toxoplasma renders mice less cautious towards uninfected conspecifics and increases the tendency of adult male mice towards territorial aggression.

Aggression↗
PubMed1986

A congenital Toxoplasma-like disease in ferrets (Mustela putorius furo).

Approximately 30% of 750 neonatal farmed ferret kits died without observed clinical signs. The presence of multifocal necrosis associated with Toxoplasma-like organisms in the liver, lung and heart suggested a diagnosis of toxoplasmosis. Surviving animals from affected litters were stunted but showed no histological or serological evidence of Toxoplasma infection, nor could infection be demonstrated by mouse inoculation. The involvement of animals at one day of age indicated congenitally acquired disease.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2004

Sinus histiocytosis with massive lymphadenopathy (Rosai-Dorfman's disease) previously misdiagnosed as Toxoplasma Lymphadenitis.

Here we describe a case of Rosai-Dorfman Disease (RDD) in a 25-year-old female patient from Turkey who was previously misdiagnosed with Toxoplasma Lymphadenitis, and review the manifestations and treatment of this rare entity. To the best of our knowledge this is the third description of RDD [Sinus Histiocytosis with Massive Lymphadenopathy (SHML)], involving bilateral cervical lymphadenopathy and nephromegaly previously misdiagnosed as Toxoplasma Lymphadenitis. Representative clinical, radiographic and histological findings are presented. Its etiology, diagnosis and management are also reviewed. Sinus Histiocytosis with Massive Lymphadenopathy is a rare disorder of unknown etiology, usually associated with lymph node enlargement in various superficial or deep sites. The key histologic feature of SHML is the presence of various numbers of large, pale histiocytic cells that contain within their cellular borders apparently engulfed lymphocytes (emperipolesis); these distinctive large, pale cells are S-100 protein positive CD-68 positive and CD1a negative by immunostaining. According to the literature the most effective treatment found was surgical debulking.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Evaluation of new anti-infective drugs for the treatment of toxoplasma encephalitis. Infectious Diseases Society of America and the Food and Drug Administration.

Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan that exists in three forms, all of which are potentially infectious for humans. After acute infection, cysts persist in the central nervous system and extraneural tissue. Human hosts with compromised immunity, particularly those with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, are vulnerable to reactivation and dissemination. The most common clinical expression of toxoplasma infection is encephalitis. The diagnosis is established by clinical presentation, computed tomography and/or magnetic resonance imaging, and detection of antibodies to T. gondii in serum of patients positive for human immunodeficiency virus. Brain biopsy may be performed. Protocols may be developed for the evaluation of new regimens for the treatment of acute encephalitis, the suppression of disease after treatment, or the prevention of reactivation before the onset of clinical disease. Assessment of clinical outcome is paramount.

Anti-Infective Agents↗
PubMed2001

Effect of prenatal treatment on mother to child transmission of Toxoplasma gondii: retrospective cohort study of 554 mother-child pairs in Lyon, France.

BACKGROUND: The aim of prenatal serological screening for toxoplasmosis is to identify and treat maternal infection as soon as possible in order to prevent transmission of the parasite to the fetus. However, despite widespread provision of prenatal toxoplasma screening across Europe, the effectiveness of prenatal treatment is uncertain. The study aimed to determine the effect of the timing and type of prenatal treatment on mother to child transmission of Toxoplasma gondii. METHOD: A cohort of 554 infected pregnant women were identified in Lyon, France between 1987 and 1995 and their children were followed to determine congenital infection status. We determined the effect of prenatal treatment on transmission by examining the effect of the delay between maternal seroconversion and start of treatment. We also compared the effect of the type of treatment and no treatment on the risk of mother to child transmission. Analyses were adjusted for gestation at maternal seroconversion. RESULTS: Compared to treatment within 4 weeks from seroconversion, the adjusted odds ratios (OR) for mother to child transmission after a treatment delay of 4-7 weeks was 1.29 (95% CI : 0.61, 2.73) and after more than 8 weeks, 1.44 (95% CI : 0.60, 3.31). The adjusted OR associated with spiramycin alone compared with pyrimethamine-sulfadiazine treatment was 0.91 (95% CI : 0.45, 1.84) and the OR for no treatment compared with pyrimethamine-sulfadiazine treatment was 1.06 (95% CI : 0.37, 3.03). CONCLUSIONS: The authors hypothesize that the absence of an effect of prenatal treatment is due to transmission before the start of treatment.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Risk factors for Toxoplasma gondii infection in pregnancy. Results of a prospective case-control study in Norway.

From 1992 to 1994, a prospective case-control study designed to identify preventable risk factors for Toxoplasma gondii infection in pregnancy was conducted in Norway. Case-patients were identified through a serologic screening program encompassing 37,000 pregnant women and through sporadic antenatal testing for Toxoplasma infection. A total of 63 pregnant women with serologic evidence of recent primary T. gondii infection and 128 seronegative control women matched by age, stage of pregnancy, expected date of delivery, and geographic area were enrolled. The following factors were found to be independently associated with an increased risk of maternal infection in conditional logistic regression analysis (in order of decreasing attributable fractions): 1) eating raw or undercooked minced meat products (odds ratio (OR) = 4.1, p = 0.007); 2) eating unwashed raw vegetables or fruits (OR = 2.4, p = 0.03); 3) eating raw or undercooked mutton (OR = 11.4, p = 0.005); 4) eating raw or undercooked pork (OR = 3.4, p = 0.03); 5) cleaning the cat litter box (OR = 5.5, p = 0.02); and 6) washing the kitchen knives infrequently after preparation of raw meat, prior to handling another food item (OR = 7.3, p = 0.04). In univariate analysis, travelling to countries outside of Scandinavia was identified as a significant risk factor, but this variable was not independently associated with infection after data were controlled for factors more directly related to the modes of infection.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1976

Toxoplasma antibody prevalence in veterinary personnel and a selected population not exposed to cats.

To further elucidate the epidemiologic factors involved in the transmission of Toxoplasma gondii from cats to humans, veterinarians, animal hospital workers and a selected population of non-contact subjects were questioned about rural or urban residency, pets owned, contact with cats and whether their cats used a litter box in the house. Sera samples were tested at 1:128 dilution for toxoplasma antibodies using indirect fluorescent and hemagglutination techniques. None of the 60 non-contact individuals were seropositive. Of 60 contact subjects, 18.3% were identified as carrying antibodies. Other factors were not significant. Because only one veterinarian was seropositive, we propose that exposure to cats per se does not supply sufficient evidence upon which to expect a risk of toxoplasmosis infection. Direct or indirect association, personal hygiene, duration of exposure and the infectivity of the cats should be considered.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Toxoplasma encephalitis in patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

Among 504 cases of AIDS diagnosed between 1983 and 1990, there were 86 patients (17%) with toxoplasma encephalitis (TE). All were symptomatic at the time of diagnosis. General signs such as fever, neck stiffness, or headache were present in 87.2%, and 75.6% had focal signs. The primary means of diagnosis was computerized tomographic scanning, revealing 169 lesions of which 80% were immediately contrast-enhancing. All patients had IgG antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii either before (74 of 75 evaluable patients) or at the time of diagnosis of TE (73 of 75). Elevated antibody titers were present in 44% of evaluable patients, compared to 11% of patients with AIDS and other opportunistic infections. Initial treatment was pyrimethamine plus sulfonamides in 65 patients, and pyrimethamine plus clindamycin in 12 patients, with other combinations or no treatment accounting for the remainder. Life-table analysis of the time to discontinuation of treatment because of suspected side effects suggested that sulfadiazine was significantly more toxic, with 48% of patients experiencing an interruption in treatment after 30 days, than pyrimethamine (12%) or clindamycin (24%). The 30-day mortality rate was 12%, and median survival was 310 days after diagnosis, 530 in patients treated with zidovudine and 190 days in those not so treated. Of 82 evaluable patients, 16 relapsed once and 4 of these more than once. The risk of relapse was 27% 1 year after diagnosis of a first episode of TE.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed2000

In vitro anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibody production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells in the diagnosis and the monitoring of toxoplasmic encephalitis in AIDS-related brain lesions.

The spontaneous secretion in vitro of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies by peripheral blood mononuclear cells was assessed in 69 patients with AIDS-related brain lesions. The sensitivity and specificity of this assay in the diagnosis of toxoplasmic encephalitis (TE) were found to be 85.4% and 92.8%, respectively. Twenty-four patients with TE were observed during 1-year follow-up after initiation of anti-Toxoplasma treatment and classified on the basis of their clinical and radiologic responses as sustained responders (SR; n = 11), incomplete responders (IR; n = 7) or transient responders (TR; n = 6). In vitro anti-T. gondii antibody secretion decreased as early as the first month after initiation of treatment and disappeared within the year in SRs, persisted in IRs, and decreased but rebounded at relapse in the TR patients. In vitro anti-T. gondii antibody, which reflects immune system activation by parasitic antigens, could be a surrogate marker of TE in AIDS patients.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
PubMed2006

Low incidence of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy in women treated with spiramycin for toxoplasma infection.

AIMS: Toxoplasma infection in pregnancy is usually treated with long-term administration of the macrolide spiramycin to prevent fetal malformations. We had empirically observed that treated patients seldom developed pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH), a common and severe disorder of pregnancy whose aetiology and pathogenesis are still debated. Some clinical and experimental data suggest that infection could play a role in its development. METHODS: To test this hypothesis, we studied a cohort of 417 pregnant women treated with spiramycin because of seroconversion for Toxoplasma gondii and 353 low-risk women who did not take any antibiotic during pregnancy. PIH was defined as blood pressure>140/90 mmHg on two or more occasions, occurring after 20 weeks of gestational age. RESULTS: Seventeen (5.2%) women in the control group developed PIH compared with two (0.5%) in the case group. The odds of developing the disease were significantly lower in the treated subjects (odds ratio=0.092, 95% confidence interval 0.021, 0.399; P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that antibiotic treatment during pregnancy can reduce the incidence of PIH, thus opening new perspectives in its prevention and therapy.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Fatal toxoplasmosis and enteroepithelial stages of Toxoplasma gondii in a Pallas cat (Felis manul).

Toxoplasma gondii was found in tissues of a six-year-old female Pallas cat (Felis manul) from the Milwaukee County Zoo. Toxoplasma gondii meronts (types D and E), gamonts, and oocysts were present in the epithelium of the small intestine. Numerous unsporulated oocysts were present in the intestinal lumen. The cat died of acute, overwhelming toxoplasmosis. Necrotic enteritis, multifocal necrotizing granulomatous hepatitis, and pneumonia were the prominent lesions.

Agglutination Tests↗
PubMed1999

Toxoplasma gondii infection: analysis of serological response by 2-DE immunoblotting.

Toxoplasma gondii is known to cause a variety of diseases ranging from asymptomatic infections to serious conditions in immunocompromised hosts such as AIDS-patients or transplant recipients. In addition they may cause abortion or fetal abnormalities during pregnancy. Despite the clinical importance, diagnosis, treatment and prevention still remain unsatisfactory. Analysis of the parasitic cell determinants, recognized by specific humoral and cellular immune responses, may have important implications for diagnosis, therapy and vaccination strategies. Two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) was used to resolve and compare protein patterns from Toxoplasma gondii strains RH and BK (mouse virulent strains). Comparison of silver-stained gels showed that 35.2% to 60.3% of the spots had the same position. In a second series of experiments, the reactivity of the spots with human sera was tested. Proteins were transferred to PVDF membranes and were detected with sera from different patient groups. Depending upon the immunoglobulin class (IgG, IgM, IgA or IgE) different epitope patterns were observed. Some of the spots seemed to be recognized in different stages of infection. Sera of two patients with similar serology and comparable stage of infection were compared in order to demonstrate an individual immune response.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1976

The effect of endo-enteric development of Toxoplasma gondii on the ultrastructure of epithelial cells of the small intestine of infected cats.

Toxoplasma gondii undergoing endo-enteric development in the small intestine of the cat affects the ultrastructure of the epithelial cells. The epithelial cells from infected cats have swollen rough endoplasmic reticulum and the mitochondria may be swollen with degenerate cristae. A statistically significant shortening of the microvilli of the epithelial cells was demonstrated. It appeared that the effect on the microvilli length was related to the parasite distribution within the small intestine. These changes occur in both cells with and without parasites present at the level of the sections studied. The abnormalities are quickly rectified after the disappearance of the endo-enteric forms of Toxoplasma.

Animals↗
PubMed1981

Antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii in the aqueous humour of patients with active retinochoroiditis.

In active cases of ocular toxoplasmosis, antibodies against the parasite are produced locally in the eye. This antibody production may be revealed by examination of the aqueous humour, and comparing the antibody titer with that of serum. We examined the dye test titer as well as the total IgG concentration of the aqueous humour and serum in 10 patients with active retinochoroiditis. Six of the 10 patients had a significantly higher antibody titer in the aqueous humour than in serum, in relation to their contents of total IgG, proving that the retinochoroiditis was caused by infection with Toxoplasma gondii. Negative results do not exclude the possibility that the inflammation is caused by this parasite. False negative results may occur when the total IgG concentration is either very low, or very high. The time at which the test is performed, in relation to the onset of the inflammation, is also of importance. Our results also suggest that the larger the size of the active lesions is, the higher is the chance of obtaining a definite diagnosis. It is concluded that aqueous humour analysis for antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii should be considered in cases of active retinochoroiditis of unclear or suspected toxoplasmic etiology.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Interferon-gamma: the major mediator of resistance against Toxoplasma gondii.

Mice were injected with a monoclonal antibody to interferon-gamma to examine the importance of endogenous production of this lymphokine in resistance against infection with the sporozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii. Mice with intraperitoneal infections of T. gondii that received no antibody survived and developed chronic T. gondii infection, whereas the infected mice that received the monoclonal antibody died of toxoplasmosis. The activation of macrophages, which kill T. gondii in vivo, was inhibited by administration of the monoclonal antibody, but the production of antibodies to T. gondii was not suppressed. The fact that an antibody to interferon-gamma can eliminate resistance to acute Toxoplasma infection in mice suggests that this lymphokine is an important mediator of host resistance to this parasite.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Activity of roxithromycin (RU 28965), a macrolide, against Toxoplasma gondii infection in mice.

Roxithromycin (RU 28965), an ether oxime derivative of erythromycin, protected mice against a lethal infection with the virulent RH strain of Toxoplasma gondii. Therapy begun 24 h before, 2 h after, and 24 h after infection with 2 X 10(3) tachyzoites protected 90, 80, and 50% of the mice, compared with 0% of untreated controls (P less than 0.05 to 0.001). Toxoplasma was isolated in less than 20% of surviving roxithromycin-treated mice.

Animals↗
PubMed1971

In Vivo and In Vitro Studies of Delayed-Type Hypersensitivity to Toxoplasma gondii in Guinea Pigs.

Delayed-type hypersensitivity develops late in the course of human toxoplasmosis, and a positive skin test is of some value for implicating chronic or eliminating acute forms of toxoplasmosis as a cause of disease. Toxoplasma-infected guinea pigs were studied to determine the onset and development of delayed-type hypersensitivity. Both the toxoplasmin skin test and the in vitro macrophage migration inhibition technique indicated that delayed hypersensitivity to toxoplasma antigen existed as early as 1 week after infection. The mechanism responsible for the observed inhibition of macrophage migration in vitro appeared to be an inhibitory factor(s) released from sensitized lymphoid cells in the presence of antigen.

Journal Article↗