1. Toxoplasma gondii,
Toxoplasmosis

2. Toxoplasma gondii,
Life-cycle

3. Toxoplasma gondii, ACUTE PHASE CHRONIC PHASE Immunity +
Tachyzoites: rapidly dividing forms
Immunity -
Bradyzoites: slowly dividing forms
ACTIVATION

4. TOXOPLASMOSIS Transmission of infection:
1: Congenital ( /1000 pregnancies)
2: Acquired :
Ingestion of oocyst:contaminated fingers,soil,water
Ingestion of cyst in undercooked meat.
Blood transfusion ( including WBC platelets) and organ transplant
3: Reactivation of infection
Immunocopromised e.g. AIDS
Immunosuppression e.g. drugs

5. Toxoplasmosis

6. Toxoplasmosis in Pregnancy
Abortion
Overt disease. The symptoms vary widely, the classical triad of Congenital Toxoplasmosis is
Hydrocephalus
Intracranial calcification
Chorioretinitis
Subclinical infection: no symptoms at birth
late onset symptoms (most common in the eyes: Chorioretinitis)
no symptoms at all

7. Toxoplasmosis Risk Factors: Presence of cats
Poor sanitation , mild humid climate
Food habits
Pregnancy

10. Toxoplasmosis in Pregnancy
Abortion
Overt disease. The symptoms vary widely, the classical triad of Congenital Toxoplasmosis is
Hydrocephalus
Intracranial calcification
Chorioretinitis
Subclinical infection: no symptoms at birth
late onset symptoms (most common in the eyes: Chorioretinitis)
no symptoms at all

11. Toxoplasmosis in Pregnancy
In general : The earlier in pregnancy the mother is infected, the lower is the risk of an infection of the fetus, but the severer is the disease. The later in pregnancy the mother is infected, the higher is the possibility of fetal infection, and the disease is less severe (often subclinical infection)

12. Congenital Toxoplasmosis

15. Toxoplasmosis : intracranial calcification

18. Treatment of Toxoplasmosis
Sulfonamides and pyrimethamine (Daraprim) are two drugs widely used to treat toxoplasmosis in humans.
Spiramycin, a drug used in France to treat pregnant women to minimize the effects of congenital toxoplasmosis(not useful in preventing relapse of neurotoxoplasmosis in immunosuppressed patients

19. Control of Toxoplasmosis
Proper handling of pet cats
Avoid raw or undercooked meat.
Prevent exposure of pregnant women to infection.
Screening of pregnant women for Toxoplasma antibodies.