congenital toxoplasmosis

Low incidence of congenital toxoplasmosis in children born to women infected with human immunodeficiency virus.

Congenital toxoplasmosis or rubella may be seen on X-ray as calcifications in the brain.

Congenital toxoplasmosis transmitted from an immunologically competent mother infected before conception.

Epidemiology of congenital toxoplasmosis identified by population-based newborn screening in Massachusetts.

Effectiveness of prenatal treatment for congenital toxoplasmosis: a meta-analysis of individual patients' data.

Congenital toxoplasmosis occurring in infants perinatally infected with human immunodeficiency virus 1.

Congenital toxoplasmosis is a special form in which an unborn fetus is infected via the placenta.

Congenital toxoplasmosis:

Congenital toxoplasmosis may lead to hydrocephalus, seizures, lymphadenopathy, hepatosplenomegaly, rash, and fever.

Experimental screening of all newborns in Massachusetts and New Hampshire identified 52 infants with congenital toxoplasmosis.

In studies of nonimmunocompromised infants with congenital toxoplasmosis, most infants (70%--90%) are asymptomatic at birth.

European Collaborative Study and Research Network on Congenital Toxoplasmosis.

Congenital toxoplasmosis may result in formation of cysts in the brain and other organs, causing a variety of neurological deficits.

Congenital toxoplasmosis via transplacental transmission can also lead to sequelae such as chorioretinitis along with hydrocephalus and cerebral calcifications.

Chronic or recurrent maternal infection during pregnancy is not thought to confer a risk of congenital toxoplasmosis because maternal immunity protects against fetal transmission.

All infants whose mothers are both HIV-infected and seropositive for Toxoplasma should be evaluated for congenital toxoplasmosis (90).

Early and longitudinal evaluations of treated infants and children and untreated historical patients with congenital toxoplasmosis: the Chicago Collaborative Treatment Trial.

Pregnant women with suspected or confirmed primary toxoplasmosis and newborns with possible or documented congenital toxoplasmosis should be managed in consultation with an appropriate specialist.

However, approximately 20%--30% of infants with congenital toxoplasmosis will not be identified during the neonatal period with IgA or IgM assays (555).

A neurologist in Miami diagnosed a severe case of congenital toxoplasmosis, an infection that is caused by a parasite and can result in blindness, seizures and mental retardation.

For HIV-uninfected children who have mild congenital toxoplasmosis, certain experts alternate pyrimethamine/sulfadiazine/folinic acid monthly with spiramycin during months 7--12 of treatment (CIII).

Although the optimal duration of therapy is undefined, the recommended duration of treatment of congenital toxoplasmosis for infants without HIV infection is 12 months (AII) (567).

Strategy for diagnosis of congenital toxoplasmosis: evaluation of methods comparing mothers and newborns and standard methods for postnatal detection of immunoglobulin G, M, and A antibodies.

Outcome of treatment for congenital toxoplasmosis, 1981--2004: the National Collaborative Chicago-Based Congenital Toxoplasmosis Study.

Using the services of a specialized reference laboratory that can perform serology, isolation of organisms, and PCR and offers assistance in interpreting results, especially when attempting to diagnose congenital toxoplasmosis, can be helpful (554).