A prospective study of Toxoplasma-positive pregnant women in southern Brazil: a health alert

We evaluated anti-Toxoplasma gondii IgM-reactive pregnant women seen at a high-risk pregnancy outpatient clinic. From March 2005 to January 2008 in Paraná, Brazil, pregnant women seen by the Brazilian Public Health System, in any gestational period, who were anti-T. gondii IgM-positive, were followed. Clinical symptoms were noted, and tests performed including IgA, IgG avidity, ultrasonogram, and amniocentesis (PCR/inoculation in mice). Of 75 patients, 8 showed low, 3 intermediate and 31 high IgG avidity. Of those who underwent the avidity test, 31 (70.5%) were in the second trimester of pregnancy. Thirty-two (42.7%) pregnant women received specific treatment. Six received triple combination treatment; in three, tachyzoites were isolated, although only one was PCR-positive, showing changes in the cerebral sonogram, borderline IgA, and the Sabin tetrad. One fetus died, and one non-reactive IgM pregnant woman showed ocular recurrence. The municipality of residence, contact with cats during adulthood, and ingestion of unpasteurized milk were shown to be important risk factors. Congenital toxoplasmosis was observed in a pregnancy referred late for treatment. Follow-up of children born to mothers with diagnosed or suspected acute toxoplasmosis is crucial in the management of the changes that toxoplasmosis may cause.     

Congenital toxoplasmosis—prenatal aspects of Toxoplasma gondii infection

Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is the cause of toxoplasmosis. Primary infection in an immunocompetent person is usually asymptomatic. Serological surveys demonstrate that world-wide exposure to T. gondii is high (30% in US and 50–80% in Europe). Vertical transmission from a recently infected pregnant woman to her fetus may lead to congenital toxoplasmosis. The risk of such transmission increases as primary maternal infection occurs later in pregnancy. However, consequences for the fetus are more severe with transmission closer to conception. The timing of maternal primary infection is, therefore, critically linked to the clinical manifestations of the infection. Fetal infection may result in natural abortion. Often, no apparent symptoms are observed at birth and complications develop only later in life. The laboratory methods of assessing fetal risk of T. gondii infection are serology and direct tests.Screening programs for women at childbearing age or of the newborn, as well as education of the public regarding infection prevention, proved to be cost-effective and reduce the rate of infection.The impact of antiparasytic therapy on vertical transmission from mother to fetus is still controversial. However, specific therapy is recommended to be initiated as soon as infection is diagnosed.     

获得性免疫缺陷综合征（AIDS）合并播散性弓形虫病尸检的病理学研究

报道美国纽约地区９例播散性弓形虫病尸检材料，均有脑部病变，８例累及心脏，４例累及肺脏，尚见胰腺、消化道、甲状腺、淋巴结、泌尿生殖器官等受累。其中弓形虫性脑炎９例，心肌炎４例，肺炎３例，胰腺炎２例。仅脑炎、肺炎产牛症状，经脑ＣＴ扫描、弓形虫抗体测定提示本病，并经涂片、骨髓活检和尸检证实，以查见弓形虫为依据。临床以神经精神症状和肺部感染症状为主。病变分为静止（潜伏）、组织坏死、炎症反应及增生修复四种状态，强调囊型弓形虫形态学识别的诊断意义。     

不良妊娠TORCH感染分析

目的　为了了解不良妊娠中TORCH感染的影响。方法　应用酶联免疫吸附试验 (ELISA)对 31例不良妊娠及 43例正常妊娠的孕妇进行TORCH感染监测。结果　两组感染率最高均为CMV ,其次为HSVⅠ 。两组相比CMV有极显著性差异 (P <0 .0 0 5 ) ;HSVⅠ 有显著差异 (P <0 .0 5 )。两组IgG检出率最高均为CMV ,分别为 96 .77%及 6 9.77% ,最低均为TOXO ,分别为 2 .9%、9.3% ;两组的IgM检出率最高均为CMV ,分别为 35 .48%、16 .2 8%。两组易感染率最高均为TOXO。结论　CMV、HSVⅠ 是本地区TORCH感染中对妊娠影响最大的病原体 ,二者均为性传播疾病 ,对其危害不容忽视     

Manejo de la membrana neovascular coroidea secundaria a toxoplasmosis ocular

A 12-year-old patient diagnosed with congenital toxoplasmosis, with no systemic treatment at the time, who presented with a decreased visual acuity (VA) in his left eye (LE). On examination, VA in the LE was 0.05 and the fundus examination revealed a focus of chorioretinitis adjacent to a pigmented macular scar, as well as a large associated subretinal haemorrhage. After confirming the diagnosis of choroidal neovascular membrane secondary to ocular toxoplasmosis, treatment was started with systemic anti-toxoplasmosis drugs and two anti-VEGF intravitreal injections separated by one month. Finally, the patients had a VA in LE of 0.4, with reabsorption of the haemorrhage, leaving an inactive pigmented macular scar. The use of anti-VEGF intravitreal injections in cases of ocular toxoplasmosis has been associated with a reactivation of old lesions, so the prophylactic use of oral anti-toxoplasmosis drugs is recommended in these cases.     

Toxoplasmosis Presenting as Hyper Viscosity Syndrome due to Polyclonal Gammopathy

We are presenting a rare case of toxoplasma lymphadenopathy with hyper viscosity syndrome due to polyclonal gammopathy. A 30 year old female presented with generalized lymphadenopathy. Lymph node biopsy findings suggestive of toxoplasmosis were confirmed on serology. Bone marrow aspiration showed 50 % plasma cells. On serum electrophoresis broad, diffuse band noted, indicative of polyclonal gammopathy. M band was absent. The patient was immunocompetent and presented with hyper viscosity syndrome masking the symptoms of underlying toxoplasmosis.     

Cerebral complement C1q activation in chronic Toxoplasma infection

Exposure to the neurotropic parasite, Toxoplasma gondii, causes significant brain and behavioral anomalies in humans and other mammals. Understanding the cellular mechanisms of T. gondii-generated brain pathologies would aid the advancement of novel strategies to reduce disease. Complement factor C1q is part of a classic immune pathway that functions peripherally to tag and remove infectious agents and cellular debris from circulation. In the developing and adult brain, C1q modifies neuronal architecture through synapse marking and pruning. T. gondii exposure and complement activation have both been implicated in the development of complex brain disorders such as schizophrenia. Thus, it seems logical that mechanistically, the physiological pathways associated with these two factors are connected. We employed a rodent model of chronic infection to investigate the extent to which cyst presence in the brain triggers activation of cerebral C1q. Compared to uninfected mice, cortical C1q was highly expressed at both the RNA and protein levels in infected animals bearing a high cyst burden. In these mice, C1q protein localized to cytoplasm, adjacent to GFAP-labeled astrocytes, near degenerating cysts, and in punctate patterns along processes. In summary, our results demonstrated an upregulation of cerebral C1q in response to latent T. gondii infection. Our data preliminarily suggest that this complement activity may aid in the clearance of this parasite from the CNS and in so doing, have consequences for the connectivity of neighboring cells and synapses.     

Cerebral toxoplasmosis following etanercept treatment for idiophatic pneumonia syndrome after autologous peripheral blood progenitor cell transplantation (PBPCT)

Idiophatic pneumonia syndrome (IPS) is a term used to describe lung injury following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) without an infectious etiology. Diagnostic criteria include multilobar infiltrates on chest X-ray, clinical symptoms consistent with pneumonia and evidence of abnormal pulmonary physiology. The incidence after autologous transplantation is low (6%) but it has a high mortality (70–80%). Treatment with high-dose steroids has been used but the results are discouraging. Etanercept is a recombinant human soluble TNF receptor fusion protein that inhibits tumor necrosis factor (TNF) function. Recently, promising results have been obtained with etanercept for the treatment of acute and chronic GVHD after HSCT, but there is a little information regarding adverse effects. We report a case of IPS after autologous peripheral blood progenitor cell transplantation (PBPCT) successfully treated with etanercept. The patient developed cerebral toxoplasmosis immediately after etanercept treatment with a good outcome.