J Infect. 2013 Oct 9. pii: S0163-4453(13)00290-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jinf.2013.09.023. [Epub ahead of print]

It is not only the cat that did it: How to prevent and treat congenital toxoplasmosis

Robert-Gangneux F.

Source

Laboratory of Parasitology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Rennes, France; INSERM U1085/IRSET (Institut de Recherche en Santé Environnement Travail), Université Rennes 1, France. Electronic address: florence.robert-gangneux@univ-rennes1.fr.

Abstract

The apicomplexan parasite Toxoplasma gondii was discovered a little over one hundred years ago and was soon recognized as a pathogen responsible for congenital infection. But detailed understanding of its epidemiology emerged only after 1970 with the discovery of its life cycle. In the last ten years, high resolution molecular tools have allowed the characterization of various strain types with different virulence patterns, and current studies are exploring the distribution of these different genotypes. In parallel, sophisticated diagnostic tools have been developed and awareness of disease burden has led some European countries with high prevalence rates to implement screening of pregnant women. In this article, the screening options and therapies used to prevent congenital toxoplasmosis are dissected in the light of recent data from cohort studies and other epidemiological data.
Copyright © 2013 The British Infection Association. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

KEYWORDS:

Congenital toxoplasmosis, Epidemiology, Pregnancy, Prevention, Treatment

PMID:

24119928

[PubMed - as supplied by publisher]