Congenital Toxoplasmosis Flashcards

1
Q

What is congenital toxoplasmosis?

A

A disease that occurs in foetuses infected with Toxoplasma gondii

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2
Q

What is toxoplasma gondii?

A

A protozoan parasite that can be transmitted from mother to foetus

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3
Q

How can T. Gondii be transmitted in adults?

A
  • Eating uncooked or undercooked meat
  • Eating unwashed produce
  • Drinking water that is contaminated with parasites or their eggs
  • Touching contaminated soil or cat faeces
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4
Q

If a mother is infected during pregnancy when can T. gondii be transmitted to the child?

A

During pregnancy or delivery

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5
Q

How do most infants infected by T. Gondii appear at birth?

A

Healthy

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6
Q

When can symptoms develop?

A

Months, years, or even decades later

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7
Q

When do children with severe toxoplasmosis develop symptoms?

A

Usually at birth or within first 6 months of life

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8
Q

What clinical features may be present in congenital toxoplasmosis?

A
  • Low birth weight
  • Jaundice
  • Eye damage
  • Diarrhoea and vomiting
  • Anaemia
  • Difficulty feeding
  • Lymphadenopathy
  • Hepatomegaly and splenomegaly
  • Macrocephaly or microcephaly
  • Rash
  • Hydrocephalus
  • Intracranial calcifications
  • Seizures
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9
Q

How can toxoplasmosis be detected in the mother?

A

Blood test

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10
Q

If a maternal toxoplasmosis blood test is positive what additional tests will be performed?

A
  • USS to check for fetal abnormalities
  • PCR amniotic fluid testing
  • Fetal blood testing
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11
Q

If a baby shows congenital toxoplasmosis after birth what tests may be performed?

A
  • Antibody testing of umbilical blood or CSF
  • Blood tests
  • Eye exam
  • Neurological exam
  • CT or MRI scan of baby’s brain
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12
Q

What medications can be given during pregnancy?

A
  • Spiramycin or royamycine
  • Pyrimethamine and sulfadiazine
  • Steroids
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13
Q

What is spiramycin or royamycine given for?

A

Help prevent transmission of parasites to fetus

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14
Q

When should pyrimethamine and sulfadiazine be given?

A

After the first trimester if it has been confirmed that the fetus is infected

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15
Q

What should be given alongside pyrimethamine and sulfadiazine?

A

Folic acid to protect against bone marrow loss

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16
Q

When should steroids be given?

A

If the baby’s vision is threatened or has high levels of protein in CSF

17
Q

What are babies treated with once born for 1 year?

A

Pyrimethamine and sulfadiazine

18
Q

What are the potential complications of congenital toxoplasmosis?

A
  • Miscarriage or still birth
  • Premature birth
  • Serious and progressive visual, hearing, cognitive and other problems