Congenital toxoplasmosis (Complete) Flashcards
(15 cards)
Toxoplasmosis is caused by what parasite?
Toxoplasma gondii
What type of parasite if toxoplasma gondii
Protozoan parasite
Where is toxoplasma gondii commonly found? (3)
Cat faeces
Infected meat
Infected soil
How does congenital toxoplasmosis present in normal individuals?
Assymptomatic or mild flu-like illness
What antenatal/perinatal complications can occur in pregnant women who have contracted toxoplasmosis?
Miscarriage
Foetal death
Prematur labour
Low birthweight
What antenatal investigations are conducted in pregnant women with suspected toxoplasmosis?
Bloods:
Maternal IgM testing
Imaging/invasive:
Antenatal ultrasound: Check for foetal abnormalities
Amnioscentesis with PCR testing: Confirm diagnosis
What is the management plan for pregnant women with confirmed toxoplasmosis?
Spiramycin
Believed to reduce transmission rates
What are the clinical presentations of neonates with congenital toxoplasmosis?
Complications at birth:
Chorioretinitis
Hepatosplenomegaly
Jaundice
Intracranial cerebral calcifications
Hydrocephalus
Blueberry muffin rash
Long-term presentations:
Cerebral palsy
Epilepsy
Learning disabilities
Hearing impairment
Visual loss
Can be initially assymptomatic followed by late-term complications
What clinical features of toxoplasmosis can occur at birth?
Hydrocephalus
Intracerebral calcifications
Seizures
Chorioretinitis
Hepatosplenomegaly
Blueberry muffin rash
What are the distinguishable clinical features of congenital toxoplasmosis compared to other congenital infections?
Hydrocephalus
Intracerebral calcifications
Chorioretinitis
What are some long-term complications of conegnital toxoplasmosis?
Cerebral palsy
Epilepsy
Learning disabilities
Hearing impairment
Visual loss
How is congenital toxoplasmosis diagnosed in neonates?
Bedside:
Abdominal examination: Check for hepatosplenomegaly
Urinalysis: Toxoplasmosis PCR
Bloods:
Toxoplasmosis PCR
FBC
LFTs
Imaging:
MRI/CT: Check for intracerebral calcifications
Auditory brainstem response (ABR): Check for hearing loss
Opthalmological testing: Check for chorioretinitis
What is the management plan for infants with congenital toxoplasmosis?
Medicine:
12 months:
Pyrimethamine
Sulfadiazine
Folic acid
- Both inhibit folic acid hence require supplements
What differentials should be considered alongside toxoplasmosis?
Congenital CMV
How can congenital CMV be differentiated from toxoplasmosis?
Associated with microcephaly versus macrocephaly
Periventricular calcifications versus intracranial
