Toxoplasmosis Flashcards
what is Toxoplasma gondii
obligate intracellular protozoan
usual animal reservoir of Toxoplasma gondii?
cat, although other animals such as rats
path-physio of toxoplasmosis gondii
intracellular protozoan infects the body via the gastrointestinal tract, lung or broken skin.
It’s oocysts release trophozoites
which migrate widely around the body including to the eye, brain and muscle
clinical features of toxoplasmosis gondii?
Most infections are asymptomatic.
Symptomatic patients usually have a self-limiting
clinical features resembling infectious mononucleosis =fever, malaise, lymphadenopath
less common manifestations include?
meningoencephalitis and myocarditis.
diagnosis of toxoplasmosis gondii ?
Serology is the investigation of choice.
features of toxoplasmosis gondii in HIV/immunosuppressed patients
cerebral lesions in patients : headache, confusion, drowsiness
MX of toxoplasmosis gondii
No treatment is usually required unless the patient has a severe infection or is immunosuppressed.
MX of Cerebral toxoplasmosis in HIV or immunosuprresed individuals ?
: pyrimethamine plus sulphadiazine for at least 6 weeks
Immunosuppressed patients may also develop
chorioretinitis secondary to toxoplasmosis
however congenital toxoplasmosis is dangerous what are the neurological damage to the foetus ?
cerebral calcification
hydrocephalus
chorioretinitis
congenital toxoplasmosis is dangerous what are the ophthalmological damage to the foetus ?
retinopathy
cataracts
