Severe congenital toxoplasmosis due to a Toxoplasma gondii strain with an atypical genotype: case report and review

2010 ◽  
Vol 30 (9) ◽  
pp. 902-905 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laurence Delhaes ◽  
Daniel Ajzenberg ◽  
Bérangère Sicot ◽  
Philippe Bourgeot ◽  
Marie-Laure Dardé ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Case Report ◽  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Congenital Toxoplasmosis

scholarly journals Congenital toxoplasmosis the overlooked disease: a case report

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 1107
Author(s):  
Mahmoud M. Osman ◽  
Eiman S. Albadani ◽  
Suzan Abdel-Hamid ◽  
Sulafa A. Hamdoun ◽  
Naif A. Alruwaished
Keyword(s):  
Case Report ◽  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Intrauterine Growth Restriction ◽  
Congenital Toxoplasmosis ◽  
Preterm Newborn ◽  
Zoonotic Infection ◽  
Obligate Intracellular ◽  
Intrauterine Growth ◽  
Ocular Manifestations ◽  
Late Preterm Newborn

The causative agent of congenital toxoplasmosis (CT) is Toxoplasma gondii, an obligate intracellular parasitic protozoan presenting as a zoonotic infection distributed worldwide. Congenital toxoplasmosis may lead to abortion, intrauterine growth restriction, hepatosplenomegaly, jaundice and several neurological and ocular manifestations. The classic pathognomonic manifestations are the triad of intracranial calcifications, hydrocephalus and chorioretinitis. However, the majority of infected infants are asymptomatic at birth. Herein, we reported a case of severe CT in a late preterm newborn. Interestingly, the majority of the manifestations reported for CT were observed in this case. The high anti-toxoplasma antibodies (IgM and IgG) in the infant and his mother confirmed the diagnosis. 

scholarly journals A Novel Calcium-Dependent Protein Kinase 1 Inhibitor Potently Prevents Toxoplasma gondii Transmission to Foetuses in Mouse

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (14) ◽  
pp. 4203
Author(s):  
Héloïse Débare ◽  
Nathalie Moiré ◽  
Firmin Baron ◽  
Louis Lantier ◽  
Bruno Héraut ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Protein Kinase ◽  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Intraperitoneal Administration ◽  
Congenital Toxoplasmosis ◽  
Parasite Burden ◽  
Oral Route ◽  
Dependent Protein Kinase ◽  
Calcium Dependent ◽  
Dependent Protein ◽  
Calcium Dependent Protein Kinase

Treatments currently used to prevent congenital toxoplasmosis are non-specific of Toxoplasma gondii and have grievous side effects. To develop a more specific and less toxic drug, we have designed SP230, an imidazo[1,2-b]pyridazine salt targeting the Toxoplasma gondii calcium-dependent protein kinase 1 (TgCDPK1) and active against acute toxoplasmosis in mice. Efficiency of SP230 to inhibit foetal transmission of the parasite was evaluated in a mouse model of congenital toxoplasmosis. Swiss mice were infected at mid-pregnancy with tachyzoites or cysts of the ME49 strain of T. gondii by intraperitoneal and oral route, respectively, and treated with SP230 at 50 mg/kg for 5 days by the same routes. Parasite burden in organs of dams and in foetuses was measured by quantitative PCR. Intraperitoneal administration of SP230 drastically reduced the number of parasites (more than 97% of reduction) in the brain and lungs of dams, and led to a reduction of 66% of parasite burden in foetuses. Oral administration of SP230 was particularly efficient with 97% of reduction of parasite burdens in foetuses. SP230 did not impact number and weight of offspring in our conditions. This inhibitor of TgCDPK1 is a promising candidate for the development of alternative therapeutics to treat infected pregnant women.

scholarly journals Seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis in Vojvodina

2010 ◽  
Vol 138 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 333-336 ◽  
Author(s):  
Snezana Brkic ◽  
Gorana Gajski ◽  
Mirjana Bogavac ◽  
Daniela Maric ◽  
Vesna Turkulov ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
General Population ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Acute Infection ◽  
Clinical Manifestations ◽  
Congenital Toxoplasmosis ◽  
Reproductive Age ◽  
Female Population ◽  
Effective Measure ◽  
Female Patients

Introduction Toxoplasmosis is an acute infectious anthropozoonotic disease with mild asymptomatic clinical manifestations in immunocompetent persons and more severe in immunocompromised patients. Acute infection in pregnancy can result in severe congenital toxoplasmosis with severe sequels. Objective Aims of study were to detect Toxoplasma gondii seroprevalence in general population of Vojvodina, Serbia, differences between genders and determination of seroprevalence in women of reproductive age and pregnant women. Methods Our retrospective study was conducted from 2006 to 2008 including 625 immunocompetent patients, hospitalized or observed as outpatients at the Clinical Centre of Vojvodina, Novi Sad. We performed commercial ELISA kits SERION - ELISA classic test by VIRION for the presence of specific IgG and IgM antibodies. According to seroepidemiological aim of the study, our results were presented only in qualitative values. Results We observed 173 male and 452 female patients. Seroprevalence in general population of Vojvodina was 38.1%. In male population seroprevalence was 45.7%, and in female population it was 35.2%, the difference which was statistically significant (p<0.05). Seroprevalence increased with age and seroconversion was detected to occur in persons aged about 20 years. In all female patients, 353 (78.1%) were in reproductive age with seroprevalence of 30%. In 161 pregnant women seroprevalence was 31.7%. Conclusion In this study we screened actual seroepidemiological situation to Toxoplasma gondii in Vojvodina, thus giving a contribution to the continuous epidemiological screening done in this region and in the country. According to our results, almost 70% of women in reproductive age were sensitive to primary acute infection during further pregnancies, which is highly important for the prevention of congenital toxoplasmosis. Although not routinely conducted in many countries, routine serological testing to Toxoplasma gondii in pregnant women and their education about preventive measures against this infection could be an effective measure in the future.

scholarly journals Biogenic Silver Nanoparticles Can Control Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Both Human Trophoblast Cells and Villous Explants

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Idessania Nazareth Costa ◽  
Mayara Ribeiro ◽  
Priscila Silva Franco ◽  
Rafaela José da Silva ◽  
Thádia Evelyn de Araújo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Silver Nanoparticles ◽  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Chorionic Villus ◽  
Congenital Toxoplasmosis ◽  
Trophoblast Cells ◽  
Promising Alternative ◽  
Human Trophoblast ◽  
Biogenic Silver Nanoparticles ◽  
Bewo Cells ◽  
Toxoplasma Gondii Infection

The combination of sulfadiazine and pyrimethamine plus folinic acid is the conventional treatment for congenital toxoplasmosis. However, this classical treatment presents teratogenic effects and bone marrow suppression. In this sense, new therapeutic strategies are necessary to reduce these effects and improve the control of infection. In this context, biogenic silver nanoparticles (AgNp-Bio) appear as a promising alternative since they have antimicrobial, antiviral, and antiparasitic activity. The purpose of this study to investigate the action of AgNp-Bio in BeWo cells, HTR-8/SVneo cells and villous explants and its effects against Toxoplasma gondii infection. Both cells and villous explants were treated with different concentrations of AgNp-Bio or combination of sulfadiazine + pyrimethamine (SDZ + PYZ) in order to verify the viability. After, cells and villi were infected and treated with AgNp-Bio or SDZ + PYZ in different concentrations to ascertain the parasite proliferation and cytokine production profile. AgNp-Bio treatment did not reduce the cell viability and villous explants. Significant reduction was observed in parasite replication in both cells and villous explants treated with silver nanoparticles and classical treatment. The AgNp-Bio treatment increased of IL-4 and IL-10 by BeWo cells, while HTR8/SVneo cells produced macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) and IL-4. In the presence of T. gondii, the treatment induced high levels of MIF production by BeWo cells and IL-6 by HTR8SV/neo. In villous explants, the AgNp-Bio treatment downregulated production of IL-4, IL-6, and IL-8 after infection. In conclusion, AgNp-Bio can decrease T. gondii infection in trophoblast cells and villous explants. Therefore, this treatment demonstrated the ability to reduce the T. gondii proliferation with induction of inflammatory mediators in the cells and independent of mediators in chorionic villus which we consider the use of AgNp-Bio promising in the treatment of toxoplasmosis in BeWo and HTR8/SVneo cell models and in chorionic villi.

Occurrence of Toxoplasma gondii antibodies and associated risk factors in women in selected districts of Punjab province, Pakistan

Parasitology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 147 (10) ◽  
pp. 1133-1139
Author(s):  
Shahzad Ali ◽  
Zona Amjad ◽  
Tahir Mahmood Khan ◽  
Abdul Maalik ◽  
Anam Iftikhar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Logistic Regression ◽  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Congenital Toxoplasmosis ◽  
Sampling Location ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Binomial Logistic Regression ◽  
Punjab Province

AbstractToxoplasmosis is a parasitic zoonotic disease caused by Toxoplasma (T.) gondii. Limited data are available on the occurrence of T. gondii in women especially pregnant women in Pakistan. The present study aimed to determine the occurrence and risk factors associated with T. gondii in pregnant and non-pregnant women in Punjab Province, Pakistan. A cross-sectional study was conducted and 593 samples were collected from pregnant (n = 293) and non-pregnant (n = 300) women of District Headquarter Hospitals of Chiniot, Faisalabad, Jhang and Okara, Pakistan. Data related to demographic parameters and risk factors were collected using a pretested questionnaire on blood sampling day. Serum samples were screened for antibodies (IgG) against T. gondii using ELISA. A univariant and binomial logistic regression was applied to estimate the association between seropositive and explanatory variables considering the 95% confidence interval. P value ⩽0.05 was considered statistically significant for all analysis. Out of 593, 44 (7.42%) women were seropositive for T. gondii IgG antibodies. Occupation, age, sampling location, socioeconomic status, contact with cat, pregnancy status and trimester of pregnancy were significantly associated with seropositivity for T. gondii antibodies. Location and trimester of pregnancy were identified as potential risk factors for T. gondii seropositivity based on binomial logistic regression. Toxoplasma gondii is prevalent in pregnant and non-pregnant women. Therefore, now a necessitated awareness is required to instruct the individuals about these infectious diseases (toxoplasmosis) and their control strategies to maintain the health of human population. Moreover, health awareness among public can help the minimization of T. gondii infection during pregnancy and subsequent risk of congenital toxoplasmosis.

scholarly journals Toxoplasma gondii antibody profile in HIV-1-infected and uninfected pregnant women and the impact on congenital toxoplasmosis diagnosis in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

2012 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 170-1174 ◽  
Author(s):  
Márcia Antunes Fernandes ◽  
Giovanni Inácio Batista ◽  
Juliano da Costa Silveira Carlos ◽  
Ivete Martins Gomes ◽  
Kátia Martins Lopes de Azevedo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Rio De Janeiro ◽  
Congenital Toxoplasmosis ◽  
Antibody Profile ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Hiv 1

scholarly journals RHΔgra17Δnpt1 Strain of Toxoplasma gondii Elicits Protective Immunity Against Acute, Chronic and Congenital Toxoplasmosis in Mice

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 352 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qin-Li Liang ◽  
Li-Xiu Sun ◽  
Hany M. Elsheikha ◽  
Xue-Zhen Cao ◽  
Lan-Bi Nie ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Cellular Response ◽  
Protective Efficacy ◽  
Interleukin 2 ◽  
Congenital Toxoplasmosis ◽  
Congenital Infection ◽  
Dense Granule ◽  
Lethal Challenge ◽  
Double Deletion ◽  
Brain Cysts

In the present study, a dense granule protein 17 (gra17) and novel putative transporter (npt1) double deletion mutant of Toxoplasma gondii RH strain was engineered. The protective efficacy of vaccination using RHΔgra17Δnpt1 tachyzoites against acute, chronic, and congenital toxoplasmosis was studied in a mouse model. Immunization using RHΔgra17Δnpt1 induced a strong humoral and cellular response, as indicated by the increased levels of anti-T. gondii specific IgG, interleukin 2 (IL-2), IL-10, IL-12, and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ). Vaccinated mice were protected against a lethal challenge dose (103 tachyzoites) of wild-type homologous (RH) strain and heterologous (PYS and TgC7) strains, as well as against 100 tissue cysts or oocysts of Pru strain. Vaccination also conferred protection against chronic infection with 10 tissue cysts or oocysts of Pru strain, where the numbers of brain cysts in the vaccinated mice were significantly reduced compared to those detected in the control (unvaccinated + infected) mice. In addition, vaccination protected against congenital infection with 10 T. gondii Pru oocysts (administered orally on day 5 of gestation) as shown by the increased litter size, survival rate and the bodyweight of pups born to vaccinated dams compared to those born to unvaccinated + infected dams. The brain cyst burden of vaccinated dams was significantly lower than that of unvaccinated dams infected with oocysts. Our data show that T. gondii RHΔgra17Δnpt1 mutant strain can protect mice against acute, chronic, and congenital toxoplasmosis by balancing inflammatory response with immunogenicity.

scholarly journals Live Attenuated Pru:Δcdpk2 Strain of Toxoplasma gondii Protects Against Acute, Chronic, and Congenital Toxoplasmosis

2018 ◽  
Vol 218 (5) ◽  
pp. 768-777 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jin-Lei Wang ◽  
Ting-Ting Li ◽  
Hany M Elsheikha ◽  
Kai Chen ◽  
Wei Cong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Congenital Toxoplasmosis

scholarly journals No evidence for airborne transmission of Toxoplasma gondii in a very high prevalence area in Lancaster County

Pteridines ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 172-178
Author(s):  
Abhishek Wadhawan ◽  
Dolores E. Hill ◽  
Aline Dagdag ◽  
Hira Mohyuddin ◽  
Patrick Donnelly ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Congenital Toxoplasmosis ◽  
Pcr Amplification ◽  
Heart Tissue ◽  
Low Grade ◽  
Airborne Transmission ◽  
Air Filters ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
Food Borne Illness ◽  
Very High

AbstractBackground: Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) has been associated with acute food-borne illness, chronic low-grade inflammation, neuropsychiatric conditions and reactivation of chronic latent infection in immunocompetent hosts. Primary infection with T. gondii in pregnant women can lead to congenital toxoplasmosis. In addition to well-known oral tissue-cyst or oocyst ingestion, we hypothesized that the very high prevalence of T. gondii in certain populations exposed to agricultural dust could be, in part, a consequence of airborne infection with oocysts. Methods: We collected environmental dust samples from an area with a reportedly high T. gondii seroprevalence in the Old Order Amish population, in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Samples included: a) air filters from air-conditioning units; b) swabs of settled dust; and c) vacuum filters containing airborne field dust. Pools of the swabs and shredded sub-samples of the air filters were fed to pigs, with inoculation into mice of heart tissue from seroconverted pigs. We also investigated the presence of T. gondii DNA using PCR amplification. Results: Only one pig seroconverted. However, bioassay of pig heart tissue further inoculated into mice showed no evidence of T. gondii infection. Consistently, no evidence of T. gondii DNA was revealed in any sample. Conclusions: No evidence of airborne transmission was found in the environmental samples that were examined.

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