The study aimed to determine the incidence of congenital infection by Toxoplasma gondii and to describe neonatal and maternal characteristics regarding newborn infants treated at a teaching hospital in the town of Passo Fundo, State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Cord blood samples collected from 1,250 live newborns were analyzed. The laboratory diagnosis was established by the detection of Toxo...

Clinical trials comparing different drug regimens and strategies for the treatment of congenital toxoplasmosis and its clinical manifestations in the liveborn child in different clinical settings should aim at formally evaluating the net benefit of existing treatments and at developing new therapeutic options. Currently, there is no ideal drug for congenital toxoplasmosis; future research shoul...

We have evaluated the diagnostic utility of six antigenic regions of the Toxoplasma gondii MIC2, MIC3, M2AP, GRA3, GRA7, and SAG1 gene products, assembled in recombinant chimeric antigens by genetic engineering, in order to replace the soluble, whole-cell tachyzoite extract in serological assays. Serum samples from 100 adults with acquired T. gondii infection and from 30 infants born to mothers...

T. gondii is a ubiquitous obligate intracellular blood protozoan which is widely distributed among warm-blooded animals and humans that are considered intermediate hosts [1, 2]. All animals and birds consumedby humans can be considered a potential source of infection [1]. The public health significance of toxoplasmosis is not only due to direct contact with the definitive host (Family Felidae, ...

We are pleased to bring out the second issue for the year 2016 which primarily focuses on blood and tissue dwelling protozoans. Toxoplasmosis, a long known zoonotic disease of humanity which was once feared for causing congenital infection, is now gaining significance in other patient groups. With the advent of HIV pandemic and rise in the number of organ transplants performed, this pathogen is...

Recent studies have demonstrated that screening and treatment for toxoplasmosis during gestation result in a decrease of vertical transmission and clinical sequelae. Early treatment was associated with improved outcomes. Thus, laboratory methods should aim for early identification of infants with congenital toxoplasmosis (CT). Diagnostic approaches should include, at least, detection of Toxopla...

A comparison of the indirect haemagglutination test (IHAT) with the dye test (DT) in 23 infants with congenital toxoplasmosis showed that in the early part of the first year of life the IHAT titres were nearly all lower than the DT titres. In six cases the IHAT was negative or the titre was so low that the cases could have been missed in routine screening. Later in the first year the IHAT titre...

BACKGROUND Ocular disease is a frequent manifestation of congenital Toxoplasma gondii infection. There are only limited data available in the literature concerning early stages of this disease in fetuses and infants. The purpose of our study was to characterize histopathological features in the eyes of 10 fetuses and 2 infants with congenital toxoplasmosis. METHODS Fifteen eyes from 10 fetuse...