Congenital toxoplasma

Introduction It is found in toxoplasmosis or toxoplasmosis, a parasitic infectious disease caused by Toxoplasma gondii, which is widely distributed in all parts of the world and seriously endangers human and animal health. Congenital infections are much more serious than acquired infections. These infections are systemic, mainly manifested by systemic infection symptoms and multiple organ diseases such as the central nervous system and the eye. The most significant of the spread of Toxoplasma is oocysts and cysts, followed by trophozoites. The main source of infection is animal infection that occurs only under special circumstances.

Cause

Toxoplasma gondii has five different forms in life history, namely trophozoites, cysts, schizonts, gametophytes, and oocysts. The trophozoites form a half-moon shape of bananas, which are about 4 to 7 m long and about 2 to 4 m wide. There are all five forms in the terminal host, and there are only two forms of trophozoites and cysts in the intermediate host. The most significant of the spread of Toxoplasma is oocysts and cysts, followed by trophozoites. The main source of infection is animal infection that occurs only under special circumstances.

an examination

Related inspection

Toxoplasma screening for toxobody antibody assay

1. Methylene blue staining test: It starts to be positive in the early stage of infection (10-14 days), and the titer can reach the peak in the 3rd to 5th week, which can last for several months to several years. Inefficient agents generally represent chronic or past infections. The antibody obtained from the mother disappears within 3 to 6 months after birth. Therefore, after the child is 4 months old, the antibody can be repeatedly stained and the expression can be confirmed. If the titer is still maintained, the infection can be confirmed.

2. Indirect immunofluorescence assay: The antibody tested was anti-Toxoplasma IgG, and its response and duration were similar to the methylene blue staining test.

3. IgM-immunofluorescence test: It is a modified indirect immunofluorescence test, which has a positive result after 5 to 6 days of infection, which lasts for 3 to 6 months and is suitable for early diagnosis. Due to the high molecular weight of IgM, the mother's IgM can not be transmitted to the fetus through the placenta. For example, if the neonatal serum contains anti-Toxoplasma IgM, the diagnosis of congenital toxoplasmosis can be considered.

4. Direct agglutination reaction: It is mainly used to measure anti-Toxoplasma IgM, which is positive by 1:16 agglutination, and can be positive after 5-6 days of infection.

5. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and soluble antigen-fluorescein antibody technology: easy and fast to operate, the former can be applied to large-scale screening, and its sensitivity and specificity are satisfactory. The latter can produce antibody levels with one dilution. Its sensitivity is similar to that of immunofluorescence.

Differential diagnosis

Differential diagnosis of congenital toxoplasma:

Congenital toxoplasmosis should be differentiated from other diseases in TORCH syndrome (rubella, cytomegalovirus infection, herpes simplex and toxoplasmosis). In addition, there is a need for syphilis, Listeria or other bacterial and infectious encephalopathy. Identification of fetal polycythemia, sepsis, infectious mononucleosis, lymph node tuberculosis, etc. Mainly rely on pathogens and immunological examinations.

1. Congenital cytomegalovirus infection: congenital toxoplasma infection, performance and prognosis similar to CMV infection, mainly relying on laboratory tests for differential diagnosis.

2. Other pathological jaundice: mainly depends on the performance characteristics of clinical systemic organ damage and laboratory identification.

3. Other meningoencephalitis: clinical features of laboratory damage and laboratory identification.

The material in this site is intended to be of general informational use and is not intended to constitute medical advice, probable diagnosis, or recommended treatments.