Congenital Toxoplasmosis Flashcards
What is congenital toxoplasmosis?
A disease that occurs in foetuses infected with Toxoplasma gondii
What is toxoplasma gondii?
A protozoan parasite that can be transmitted from mother to foetus
How can T. Gondii be transmitted in adults?
- Eating uncooked or undercooked meat
- Eating unwashed produce
- Drinking water that is contaminated with parasites or their eggs
- Touching contaminated soil or cat faeces
If a mother is infected during pregnancy when can T. gondii be transmitted to the child?
During pregnancy or delivery
How do most infants infected by T. Gondii appear at birth?
Healthy
When can symptoms develop?
Months, years, or even decades later
When do children with severe toxoplasmosis develop symptoms?
Usually at birth or within first 6 months of life
What clinical features may be present in congenital toxoplasmosis?
- Low birth weight
- Jaundice
- Eye damage
- Diarrhoea and vomiting
- Anaemia
- Difficulty feeding
- Lymphadenopathy
- Hepatomegaly and splenomegaly
- Macrocephaly or microcephaly
- Rash
- Hydrocephalus
- Intracranial calcifications
- Seizures
How can toxoplasmosis be detected in the mother?
Blood test
If a maternal toxoplasmosis blood test is positive what additional tests will be performed?
- USS to check for fetal abnormalities
- PCR amniotic fluid testing
- Fetal blood testing
If a baby shows congenital toxoplasmosis after birth what tests may be performed?
- Antibody testing of umbilical blood or CSF
- Blood tests
- Eye exam
- Neurological exam
- CT or MRI scan of baby’s brain
What medications can be given during pregnancy?
- Spiramycin or royamycine
- Pyrimethamine and sulfadiazine
- Steroids
What is spiramycin or royamycine given for?
Help prevent transmission of parasites to fetus
When should pyrimethamine and sulfadiazine be given?
After the first trimester if it has been confirmed that the fetus is infected
What should be given alongside pyrimethamine and sulfadiazine?
Folic acid to protect against bone marrow loss
