Congenital toxoplasmosis in two successive sibs.

Case 1. Delivery (December 1962) was at the 7th month by caesarean section for fetal distress. At the time of the section an ovarian cyst was noted, and this was excised (see below). The baby (2400 g., 48 cm.) was covered with meconium. The skin of the trunk showed many purpuric spots. The abdomen was enlarged, with marked hepatosplenomegaly. Respiratory distress was severe, death occurring at 24 hours. Baby's blood group, A Rh positive. Necropsy. Lungs, voluminous, with few areas of aeration. Heart, enlarged, weighing 25 g. (normal 18 g.); yellowish friable myocardium with scattered whitish areas. Liver, enlarged, weighing 235 g. (normal 105 g.), dark yellow with smooth surface, abnormally firm consistency. Spleen, greatly enlarged, weight 52 g. (normal 8 g.), showing a uniform aspect on section. Brain, white-yellowish ulcerated areas, apparently calcified, and covered by slightly thickened leptomeninges, were present on the surface of the cerebrum. Sections showed similar lesions in the subcortical and periventricular zones, with slight dilatation of the lateral and third ventricles. There were no visible lesions in the cerebellum, medulla, pons, or spinal cord, or eyes. Microscopical examination. Brain: sections from