In healthy adults, the infection usually progresses without symptoms. However, a first-time infection during pregnancy always results in severe damage (e.g., to the eyes or brain/chorioretinitis or hydrocephalus) in the unborn child, some of which may not become apparent for years. The following are the most important diseases or complications that can be caused by … Toxoplasmosis: Complications
A comprehensive clinical examination is the basis for selecting further diagnostic steps: General physical examination – including blood pressure, pulse, body temperature, body weight, body height; further: Inspection (viewing). Skin, mucous membranes, and sclerae (white part of the eye) [postnatal infection: maculopapular exanthema (blotchy rash with formation of papules (vesicles/nodules))] Abdomen (abdomen) Shape of the … Toxoplasmosis: Examination
1st order laboratory parameters – obligatory laboratory tests. Small blood count Differential blood count Inflammatory parameter – CRP (C-reactive protein) Direct microscopic detection of the pathogen in the blood. Toxoplasma gondii antibody detection (IgM/IgG detection in immunofluorescence)Note: Limited significance would be logical test method in patients with immunosuppression. PCR (polymerase chain reaction) for direct detection … Toxoplasmosis: Test and Diagnosis
Therapeutic targets Elimination of the pathogens Avoidance of complications Therapy recommendations For immunocompetent individuals: Acute infection: No therapy, provided no complications occur. Chorioretinitis (inflammation of the choroid (choroid) with retinal (retina) involvement) or meningitis (meningitis): Combination of pyrimethamine (antimalarials) + sulfadiazine (sulfonamides) + folinic acid. Infection in pregnancy: Antiparasitic therapy with the drug spiramycin (until … Toxoplasmosis: Drug Therapy
Mandatory medical device diagnostics in gravidity (pregnancy). Vaginal sonography (ultrasound examination using an ultrasound probe inserted into the vagina) or abdominal sonography (every 4 weeks) Fetal ultrasound diagnostics (malformation diagnostics). Doppler sonography to determine the blood flow pattern in the uterine arteries as well as fetal blood flows in arteries and veins; impending placental insufficiency … Toxoplasmosis: Diagnostic Tests
To prevent toxoplasmosis, attention must be paid to reducing risk factors. Behavioral risk factors Contact with cats Contact with contaminated soil Consumption of contaminated vegetables Consumption of raw or insufficiently cooked meat, especially pork, sheep, goat, game and poultry. Prevention factors (protective factors) No consumption of raw or insufficiently cooked meat. Wash raw vegetables and … Toxoplasmosis: Prevention
The following symptoms and complaints may indicate toxoplasmosis: Postnatal infection in immunocompromised individuals. Flu-like symptoms with fever Fatigue Pain in the limbs Lymphadenopathy (enlargement of lymph nodes), usually in the head and neck area. Myalgia (muscle pain) Abdominal pain (abdominal pain) Maculopapular exanthema – patchy rash with formation of papules (vesicles/nodules). Confusion However, toxoplasmosis is … Toxoplasmosis: Symptoms, Complaints, Signs
Toxoplasmosis (synonyms: toxoplasma infection; toxoplasma gondii infection; toxoplasma; toxoplasmosis; ICD-10 B58.-: Toxoplasmosis) is an infectious disease caused by Toxoplasma gondii, a protozoan (single-celled organism). Due to a two-host development cycle, a distinction is made between intermediate hosts and a final host. Intermediate hosts are mouse, pig, sheep, cattle, poultry and humans. Final hosts are Felidae, … Toxoplasmosis: Toxoplasmosis in Pregnancy
Pathogenesis (development of disease) The causative agent of toxoplasmosis is the obligate (Latin: obligare = to oblige) intracellular (inside the cell) parasite Toxoplasma gondii. One can distinguish an asexual and a sexual development cycle. Development proceeds from oocytes (egg cell) to sporozoites (infectious stage) to tachyzoites (form after entering the intermediate host and multiply there). … Toxoplasmosis: Causes
General measures Observance of the general hygiene measures! V. a. Washing hands before eating. Young cats should be fed with boiled food, then goes from them as the main host of the pathogen also no danger Pregnant women and immunocompromised should (if at all) clean the cat litter box only with gloves At the onset … Toxoplasmosis: Therapy
Medical history (history of illness) represents an important component in the diagnosis of toxoplasmosis. Family history Social history What is your occupation? Do you have contact with cats? Current medical history/systemic history (somatic and psychological complaints). Have you noticed symptoms such as fatigue and fever? Have you noticed swelling of the lymph nodes? Have joint … Toxoplasmosis: Medical History
Conditions to consider for differential diagnosis in immunocompromised patients: Respiratory system (J00-J99) Influenza (flu) Infectious and parasitic diseases (A00-B99). Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection. Infection with cytomegalovirus (CMV). Histoplasmosis (fungal disease) HIV infection Syphilis (Lues) – sexually transmitted infectious disease. Tuberculosis (consumption) Diseases that may be considered for differential diagnosis in immunocompromised individuals: Infectious and parasitic … Toxoplasmosis: Or something else? Differential Diagnosis
