Toxoplasmosis: Symptoms, treatment and prevention

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Toxoplasmosis
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Toxoplasmosis

• Toxoplasmosis is a disease that results from
  infection of the Toxoplasma gondii parasite which
  can lay inactive in the retina for many years.
  But if the parasite becomes active again, it can
  start a new infection. In the eye, Toxoplasma
  infections frequently cause significant
  inflammation and subsequent scarring which may
  temporarily or permanently impair vision. Ocular
  toxoplasmosis can be congenital or acquired, and
  across the globe, toxoplasmosis is the most
  common cause of inflammation in the back of the
  eye.

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Congenital toxoplasmosis

• Congenital toxoplasmosis is transmitted from the
  mother to the foetus across the placenta
  during pregnancy. Normally, newly infected women
  transmit the Toxoplasma organism to a foetus if
  they are infected during pregnancy or just before
  pregnancy. This can happen even if the mother
  does not have any signs or symptoms of infection.
  Babies born with congenital toxoplasmosis develop
  normally after treatment with antibiotics. But in
  some cases, serious complications can develop
  within the first years of life including
  permanent vision loss and permanent brain damage.
  Retinochoroiditis is a common complication of
  congenital toxoplasmosis.

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Acquired toxoplasmosis

• The Toxoplasma organism lies in the intestinal
  tracts of many animals, particularly cats.
  Infectious organisms are shed in cat faeces, and
  introduced into the body by ingestion. The risk
  of infection can be reduced by practicing good
  hygiene including handwashing and avoiding raw or
  undercooked meat. It is sensible for pregnant
  women to avoid handling cat litter boxes, cat
  faeces, sandboxes, and any insects exposed to cat
  faeces.

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Symptoms

• Symptoms of toxoplasmosis in adultsMost of the
  patients experience no symptoms, and are unlikely
  to be aware of the infection. Symptoms may occur
  following an incubation period of one to two
  weeks after exposure and include
  mild fever, swollen glands, malaise, muscle
  or joint pain, headache, sore throat, and skin
  rash. Symptoms in the eye may vary but may
  include blurred vision or floaters during active
  disease. The diagnosis can be confirmed by
  identifying antibodies to Toxoplasma in the
  blood. The condition usually resolves without
  treatment within a few months. Symptoms of
  Congenital toxoplasmosis Most cases of
  congenital toxoplasmosis are asymptomatic, and
  initially go unrecognized. Low birth-weight,
  enlargement of liver or spleen, and jaundiceare
  common. Evidence of retinal infection may be
  found in most infected babies.

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Treatments

• Most cases rarely require treatment. If
  involvement of the internal organs is severe,
  treatment with antibiotics is considered. If the
  infection is recognized during pregnancy,
  treatment may be used to reduce the risk of
  maternal-foetal transmission.

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Prevention of toxoplasmosis

• Wash hands before handling food
• Thoroughly wash all fruit and vegetables,
  including ready-prepared salads, before eating
  them
• Thoroughly cook raw meats and ready-prepared
  chilled meals
• Avoid cat droppings in cat litter or in soil

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