scholarly journals Epidemiological Aspects of Maternal and Congenital Toxoplasmosis in Panama

Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 764
Author(s):  
Carlos Flores ◽  
Delba Villalobos-Cerrud ◽  
Jovanna Borace ◽  
Lorena Fábrega ◽  
Ximena Norero ◽  
...  

In Panama, epidemiological data on congenital toxoplasmosis are limited, making it difficult to understand the scope of clinical manifestations in the population and factors that may increase the risk of infection. This study provides insight into the epidemiological situation of maternal and congenital toxoplasmosis in Panama and contributing information on the burden of this disease in Central America. Blood samples were collected from 2326 pregnant women and used for the detection of anti-T. gondii antibodies. A high seroprevalence (44.41%) was observed for T. gondii infection in pregnant women from different regions of Panama, with an estimated incidence rate of congenital toxoplasmosis of 3.8 cases per 1000 live births. The main risk factors associated with T. gondii infection using bivariate statistical analysis were an elementary level education and maternal age range of 34-45 years. Multivariate statistical analyses revealed that in some regions (San Miguelito, North and West regions), the number of positive cases correlated with the presence of pets, stray dogs and the consumption of poultry. In other regions (East and Metropolitan regions), the absence of pets was considered a protective factor associated with negative cases, while the presence of stray cats and the age range of 25–34 years did not represent any risk in these regions.

2010 ◽  
Vol 138 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 333-336 ◽  
Author(s):  
Snezana Brkic ◽  
Gorana Gajski ◽  
Mirjana Bogavac ◽  
Daniela Maric ◽  
Vesna Turkulov ◽  
...  

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.


Parasitology ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 139 (2) ◽  
pp. 139-147 ◽  
Author(s):  
X.-J. GAO ◽  
Z.-J. ZHAO ◽  
Z.-H. HE ◽  
T. WANG ◽  
T.-B. YANG ◽  
...  

SUMMARYToxoplasmosis, caused by the protozoan parasiteToxoplasma gondii, is one of the most common parasitic infections in humans. Primary infection in pregnant women can be transmitted to the fetus leading to miscarriage or congenital toxoplasmosis. Carefully designed nationwide seroprevalence surveys and case-control studies of risk factors conducted primarily in Europe and America, have shaped our view of the global status of maternal and congenital infection, directing approaches to disease prevention. However, despite encompassing 1 in 5 of the world's population, information is limited on the status of toxoplasmosis in China, partly due to the linguistic inaccessibility of the Chinese literature to the global scientific community. By selection and analysis of studies and data, reported within the last 2 decades in China, this review summarizes and renders accessible a large body of Chinese and other literature and aims to estimate the seroprevalence in Chinese pregnant women. It also reviews the prevalence trends, risk factors, and clinical manifestations. The key findings are (1) the majority of studies show that the overall seroprevalence in Chinese pregnant women is less than 10%, considerably lower than a recently published global analysis; and (2) the few available appropriate studies on maternal acute infection suggested an incidence of 0·3% which is broadly comparable to studies from other countries.


2018 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 32169
Author(s):  
Joana Verdelho Andrade ◽  
Catarina Resende ◽  
Joana Campos ◽  
Cristina Batista ◽  
Cristina Faria ◽  
...  

AIMS: To analyze the data on pregnancies with risk of congenital toxoplasmosis and to investigate the newborns' outcome, in a level II hospital in Portugal.METHODS: A cross-sectional retrospective study included newborns at risk for congenital toxoplasmosis and their mothers, whose delivery occurred between January 2000 and December 2015. The inclusion criteria were mother with seroconversion to toxoplasmosis during pregnancy or first serum sample with positive specific IgM and IgG. The diagnosis of congenital toxoplasmosis was defined by positive specific IgM at birth and/or polymerase chain reaction positive in amniotic fluid and/or persistence of specific IgG up to 12 months of life. Congenital toxoplasmosis was defined as symptomatic when clinical findings were attributed to the disease. Chi-square or Fisher's exact tests were used to test associations between variables, assuming statistical significance when p <0.05.RESULTS: There were 39,585 live births in the study period and 98 cases with risk of congenital toxoplasmosis were identified, of which 89 completed the follow-up. The prevalence of anti-T. gondii IgG in the pregnant women was 26% (95% confidence interval [CI] 24-27%). Twenty-two cases of congenital toxoplasmosis (5.6 per 10,000 live births, 95%CI 3.5-8.5 per 10,000) were confirmed. Of the 22 newborns, 18 (82%, 95%CI 61-93%) were symptomatic. The most frequent clinical findings were intracranial calcification (64%), hepatomegaly and / or elevation of transaminases (32%) and retinochoroiditis (14%). Cerebral lesions were more frequent when maternal infection was documented in the first and second trimester compared to the third trimester (p=0.018). In 31 cases (35%), the pregnant women were treated from the time of diagnosis until delivery with spiramycin, and no differences were found regarding the rate of vertical transmission or the appearance of clinical manifestations among the newborns of treated and non-treated mothers treated.CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of congenital toxoplasmosis was higher than that reported in other European countries. The prevalence of intracranial calcifications was higher than that described in the literature, whereas retinochoroiditis and strabismus occurrence was lower. Brain lesions in newborns were more frequent in first- and second-trimester infections. There was no difference in the rate of vertical transmission and in the occurrence of clinical manifestations among newborns whose mothers received spiramycin during gestation and those whose mothers did not receive treatment.


2020 ◽  
pp. 51-56
Author(s):  
V.М. Аntonyuk-Kysil ◽  
◽  
І.Y. Dziubanovskyi ◽  
V.М. Yenikeeva ◽  
S.І. Lichner ◽  
...  

The objective: to evaluate the results of planned open surgical interventions (POSI) in pregnant women with primary symptomatic chronic vein disease (PSCVD). Materials and methods. The study included 457 pregnant women operated on a routine basis with PSCVD. The patients underwent ultrasound duplex angioscanning (USDA) of the veins of the lower extremities, inguinal canals, and iliac veins. The severity of the clinical manifestations of PSCVD was evaluated on a VCSS scale. With the help of the circadian visual-analog scale, the dynamics after the operative pain were studied. The effect of POSI on uterine tone and cardiac function of the fetus was investigated using cardiotocography. When forming the results for POSI, data from USDA, the severity of clinical and cosmetic manifestations of PCVD, the need for active prevention of thrombophlebetic, thromboembolic and hemorrhagic complications, minimization of surgical childbirth were taken into account. The results of treatment were studied in 2 groups of patients. Patients of the first group were treated with conservative therapy, the second group – POSI. Parametric indicators, which were presented as mean and standard error M(SD), were used for statistical data processing of the study, and their reliability was estimated using Student’s t-test. The species was determined to be significant at p<0.05. Results. 495 POSI were performed at 28-38 weeks gestation in an obstetric hospital (perinatal center), by a vascular surgeon from the staff of the center, who was familiarized with the peculiarities of working with this contingent of patients. Surgery was performed under local anesthesia in 346 (75.49%) pregnant women at one extremity, in 111 (24.51%) – at two in one session. According to the results of the study, it was noted that in the first group 33.7% of patients had a positive clinical result due to the reduction of pain syndrome, while 67.5% of patients had an increase and spread of varicose transformation in the area of saphenous and/or non-saphenous veins with spread of pathological venous reflux in the distal direction. 78% of patients had the need to administer prophylactic doses of low molecular weight heparins, both during pregnancy and in postpartum period. Out of 126 pregnant women with pronounced varicose veins of the external genital organs and perineum in 36 (28.6%) deliveries were performed by caesarean section. In 9 (3%) patients there was an acute thrombophlebitis of the subcutaneous veins of the lower extremities, which required 5 pregnant women to undergo urgent surgery when the inflammatory process had spread to the middle and above along the femoral vein of the large subcutaneous vein. Pregnant women of the second group with PSCVD on the basis of obstetric hospital (perinatal center) POSI were performed in the organization, which laid the ideology of the FTS program, strictly individual indications for intervention in the optimal terms of pregnancy, multidisciplinary management of patients, due to this in 93% of operated patients regression of clinical manifestations of the disease was noted, whch contributed to the correct and safe delivery of pregnancy with 100% absence of preterm birth, abnormalities in fetal development, pregnancy course, negative impact on obstetric and somatic condition of the pregnant woman. No hemorrhagic, thrombophlebic, thromboembolic complications were noted. Patients in the postoperative period did not require medical support, as during the period of pregnancy, during delivery and in the postpartum period. There were no indications for surgical delivery. 2.4% of patients experienced complications of post-operative wounds in the form of cheese, which had no effect on pregnancy and was eliminated before delivery. In the postoperative period, if necessary, it was recommended to use elastic compression class garments 1–2. Conclusion. POSI made at PSCVD in optimal terms of pregnancy in a specialized obstetric hospital by a vascular surgeon in strictly individual indications is safe, both for the fetus and the pregnant woman. It is promising to further study the results of POSI in pregnant women with PSCVD to introduce it into the arsenal of treatment of this pathology. Key words: FTS ideology, planned open surgical interventions in pregnant women.


2021 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 343-350
Author(s):  
Fatimah Salim Al-Yami ◽  
Fazal Karim Dar ◽  
Abdulrahman Ismaeel Yousef ◽  
Bader Hamad Al-Qurouni ◽  
Lamiaa Hamad Al-Jamea ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Ana Paula Nogueira Godoi ◽  
Gilcelia Correia Santos Bernardes ◽  
Leilismara Sousa Nogueira ◽  
Patrícia Nessralla Alpoim ◽  
Melina de Barros Pinheiro

Abstract Objective Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a disease caused by a newly discovered coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which usually leads to non-specific respiratory symptoms. Although pregnant women are considered at risk for respiratory infections by other viruses, such as SARS and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), little is known about their vulnerability to SARS-CoV-2. Therefore, this study aims to identify and present the main studies on the topic, including the postpartum period. Methods In this narrative review, articles were searched in various databases, organizations, and health entities using keywords compatible with medical subject headings (MeSH), such as: COVID-19, pregnancy, vertical transmission, coronavirus 2019, and SARS-CoV-2. Results The review of the scientific literature on the subject revealed that pregnant women with COVID-19 did not present clinical manifestations significantly different from those of non-pregnant women; however, there are contraindicated therapies. Regarding fetuses, studies were identified that reported that infection by SARS-CoV-2 in pregnant women can cause fetal distress, breathing difficulties and premature birth, but there is no substantial evidence of vertical transmission. Conclusion Due to the lack of adequate information and the limitations of the analyzed studies, it is necessary to provide detailed clinical data on pregnant women infected with SARS-CoV-2 and on the maternal-fetal repercussions caused by this infection. Thus, this review may contribute to expand the knowledge of professionals working in the area as well as to guide more advanced studies on the risk related to pregnant women and their newborns. Meanwhile, monitoring of confirmed or suspected pregnant women with COVID-19 is essential, including in the postpartum period.


2021 ◽  
pp. 35-47
Author(s):  
Tamara G. Denisova ◽  
Adelina I. Sergeeva ◽  
Alexandra S. Grigorieva ◽  
Enje E. Rechapova ◽  
Ivan I. Sergeev ◽  
...  

According to the WHO statement dated March 11, 2020, the coronavirus infection SARS-CoV-2 has reached the scale of a pandemic and is currently a world health problem. A special group of the population that requires increased attention is pregnant women due to the fact that pneumonia occupies the third place in the structure of indirect causes of maternal mortality. Pregnant women whose immune system has changed appeared to be at an increased risk of infection. Pregnancy is a risk factor for the development of a more severe course of acute respiratory viral diseases and influenza. To date, the issue of intrauterine transmission of coronavirus disease remains completely unexplored, which causes fear among pregnant women for the future generation. Addition of a new coronavirus infection SARS-CoV-2 has a negative impact on pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period, the health of newborns, especially in patients with a burdened obstetric history. Pregnancy itself and childbirth do not affect the course of COVID-19, but the infection addition can complicate the course of gestation, causing respiratory distress syndrome, premature birth and spontaneous miscarriages, congenital pneumonia and antenatal death of newborns born from covid-positive mothers. The literature published from December 1, 2019 to July 30, 2021 was searched in several databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar and the WHO COVID-19 database, of which 52 articles were selected for detailed consideration. The relevant literature was searched to understand the issues of infection transmission to newborns from infected mothers and the clinical manifestations of the disease in the former. As a result, it was found that newborns can become infected with SARS-Cov-2 in close contact with infected patients or asymptomatic virus carriers. However, based on the data of modern literature, it is impossible to unequivocally answer the questions posed, more facts are needed to solve the problem. The practical significance of the work is that the results of the study should be used for further studying the consequences of COVID-19 for the health of newborn children.


2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (5) ◽  
pp. 95-103
Author(s):  
Eman Hameed Al-Rikabi ◽  
Mazin J. Mousa ◽  
Oda M. Yasser

Background: Among the most common complications of diabetes is diabetic neuropathy (DN). Diabetic neuropathy is a heterogeneous group of disorders, which involves a different part of somatic and autonomic nervous systems, with a gradual loss of neural conductivity. Some studies have shown that they reduce the activity of the Na/K ATPase, however, elevated levels of endogenous sodium pump inhibitor in diabetic individuals, including those with neuropathy. Changes in this transfer enzyme are believed to be due to several diabetes complications. Objective: The study had designed to evaluate the Na/K ATPase enzymatic activity in the erythrocyte-membrane among three groups. The first group had represented the patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) and neuropathy. The second group is diabetics without neuropathy. The third group was a healthy subject. As well, the study had estimated the inhibitory activity of endogenous digitalis among patient groups. Furthermore, the aim of this research was to see whether there was a connection between red blood cell membrane Na-K ATPase activity and the medical facts of the analysis subjects. Design and Methods: One-hundred fifty subjects had enrolled in this case-control study; 80 patients complained of diabetic neuropathy of both sexes, the mean age 59.3 years with an age range of 40-81, 40 DM2 without neuropathy (53.9 years), (35 – 70), and 30 healthy controls (30 years, 25 to 45). Patients in the first group were selected carefully according to their clinical manifestations and the nerve conduction study results. The evaluations of both inhibitory activities of endogenous digitalis and Na/K ATPase had completed using a spectrophotometer. Enzyme activity had expressed in micrograms of phosphate concentration per grams of red cell ghost total protein concentration. Results: The mean enzyme activity of Na/K ATPase was significantly lower (p<0.001) in patients with diabetic neuropathy (381±17.9) compared with the diabetic group without neuropathy (498±22.9) and the normal controls (837±61.43). There was a significant inhibitory activity of endogenous digitals (17.87±2.15) in patients with DNP, compared with the diabetics without neuropathy (8.78±0.89) and healthy control (5.3±1.33). There was a significant association of enzyme activity with the following parameters: duration of diabetes, age, level of glycated hemoglobin and endogenous digitalis with the respective p-values (0.000, 0.000, 0.000 and 0.021). Gender showed no significant relationship with enzyme activity (p 0.43). Conclusions: In DM2 with neuropathy, hyperglycemia can much reduce the activity of erythrocyte Na/K ATPase. In addition, it may enhance the inhibitory activity of endogenous digitals. The timedependent increase in diabetic complications can be due to a strong association between diabetes duration and erythrocyte Na/K-ATPase activities.


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