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Toxo For 2

Toxoplasmosis is caused by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii. It was first discovered in 1908 infecting a North African rodent. T. gondii can infect many types of mammals and birds. Cats are the definitive host where the parasite reproduces sexually and sheds infectious oocysts. Humans and other animals become infected by ingesting oocysts from cat feces or eating undercooked meat containing tissue cysts. While most infections are asymptomatic, it can cause health issues in pregnant women and those with weak immune systems. Diagnosis involves microscopic examination of samples or serological tests to detect antibodies. Treatment focuses on preventing complications in at-risk groups.

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27 views13 pages

Toxo For 2

Toxoplasmosis is caused by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii. It was first discovered in 1908 infecting a North African rodent. T. gondii can infect many types of mammals and birds. Cats are the definitive host where the parasite reproduces sexually and sheds infectious oocysts. Humans and other animals become infected by ingesting oocysts from cat feces or eating undercooked meat containing tissue cysts. While most infections are asymptomatic, it can cause health issues in pregnant women and those with weak immune systems. Diagnosis involves microscopic examination of samples or serological tests to detect antibodies. Treatment focuses on preventing complications in at-risk groups.

Uploaded by

abel semu
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Toxoplasmosis

Introduction
T. gondii was first demonstrated in 1908
• In a laboratory rodent, the North African gondi
i.e. Ctenodactylus gundi

• by Nicolle & Marceaux in Southern Tunisia.

The name toxo derived From Greek


• meaning –arc

• Based on the characteristic shape of the organism.


Toxoplasmosis
Epidemiology
Toxoplasmosis shows a worldwide distribution .

T. gondii infects a wide range of mammals & birds.

Hot, dry climates have a lower incidence of


toxoplasmosis than temperate, moist climates
prevalence may approach 90% in moist region

Not exceed 20% rates in hot & dry regions


Infectious agent
Toxoplasma gondii

• Members of the phylum Apicomplexa

• Class Sporozoa, subclass Coccidia

• An obligate intracellular sporozoan.

• Sole species
The major morphologic forms of the parasite
I. Oocyst
II. Trophozoite
III. Tissue cyst
Mode of Transmission
 Via Oral route Transmission

• Ingestion of sporulated oocysts in cat feces, food, drink

• Ingestion of tissue cysts in under cooked meat

via Blood or Organs Transmission

• Blood transfusion & laboratory accidents

• Organ transplantation

• Via Transplacental Transmission

•
Life cycle of T.gondii
Its life cycle includes two phases
A.Intestinal (or enteroepithelial) phases
B.extra intestinal phases
A. Intestinal (or enteroepithelial) phases
The intestinal phase occurs in cats only

Members of the cat family (Felidae) is definitive hosts

the only known definitive hosts for the sexual stages of T. gondii

produces "oocysts.“
B. Extra intestinal phases
 Occurs in all infected animals (including cats)
 Man & other animals is the intermidiate host
 produces "tachyzoites" &, eventually,
"bradyzoites" or "zoitocysts." 
Clinical manifestations
 Majority of patients with T. gondii is
asymptomatic.
 Clinical manifestations vary with the type of host
 Grouped into different syndromes :-
• Acute acquired toxoplasmosis
• Toxoplasmic Encephalitis
• Congenital Toxoplasmosis
• Ocular toxoplasmosis
Girl with hydrocephalus due to congenital toxoplasmosis
Lab Diagnosis
The diagnosis may be established by a variety of methods.

Microscopic

Specimen-biopsy (histopathologic specimens)

Method-Giemsa-stained preparations
crescent-shaped trophozoites during acute infections

Cysts may be seen in the tissue


Isolation of the organism
 By inoculating blood or other body fluids into
mice or tissue cultures

Serological test
Serologic procedures are the primary method of diagnosis
Specimen-blood
Method
indirect hemagglutinationtest
indirect fluorescent antibody test
enzyme immunoassays (EIA)
TREATMENT
Immunocompromised & pregnant women
 treated if acute infection is documented
 commonly used therapeutic regimen is
 combination of pyrimethamine and sulfonamides
Atovaquone possesses activity against both
tachyzoites & cysts.

Reading
Prevention and Control of Toxoplasmosis ?

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