General Features and Laboratory Diagnosis of Toxoplasma gondii Infection
Journal Title: Turkish Journal of Parasitology - Year 2020, Vol 44, Issue 2
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is a common infection worldwide caused by Toxoplasma gondii, an intracellular parasite. The prevalence of Toxoplasmosis ranges from 17.5% to 69.5% in Turkey. Toxoplasmosis is mostly asymptomatic. It may cause fetal mortality in case of vertical passage. The most common clinical findings in congenital toxoplasmosis are chorioretinitis, hydrocephalus and cerebral calcification. Another group of susceptible patients for Toxoplasma gondii are immunesuppressive patients. Reactivation of a latent infection in the case of immunodeficiency can lead to fatal toxoplasmic encephalitis. Serological diagnostic methods based on the detection of specific antibodies for Toxoplasma gondii are the most commonly used diagnostic methods. However, it may be difficult to interpret the results in pregnant women, neonates, and the patients receiving treatment. It is stated that using more than one method together to improve the reliability of the diagnosis is a more accurate approach. In the prenatal diagnosis of congenital toxoplasmosis, in patients with immunodeficiency, in ocular toxoplasmosis, the polymerase chain reaction is seen as having a higher sensitivity. The aim of this review is to present the general features, diagnostic methods and current approaches in toxoplasma infection, an important public health problem.
Authors and Affiliations
Duygu Beder, Fatma Esenkaya Taşbent
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP685223
- DOI 10.4274/tpd.galenos.2020.6634
- Views 126
- Downloads 0
Visceral Leishmaniasis in A Patient Presenting with Fever of Unknown Origin: A Case Report From a Low-endemic Region of Turkey
Leishmaniasis is a neglected disease that is prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Even though cutaneous leishmaniasis is the most common form, visceral leishmaniasis is associated with high mortali...
Molecular Characterization of Hydatid Cysts Cases in a Wild Boar and Mule in Turkey
Objective: Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a zoonotic infection that affects humans, livestock and wild animals through the larval form of Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato (s.l.). Molecular and taxonomic studies carried...
Molecular Prevalence and Phylogenetic Characterization of Enterocytozoon bieneusi in Healthy Cattle
Objective: In this study, it was aimed to determine the molecular prevalence and genotypes of Enterocytozoon in healthy cattle. Methods: Fecal samples were collected from 50 cattle in Sivas between October 2017 and Marc...
First Report of a Troglostrongylus brevior Case in a Domestic Cat in Turkey
Parasitic bronchopneumonia plays an important role, especially in the respiratory diseases of cats. Troglostrongylus species have been reported as lung parasites of wild cats; however, in recent years, they have also bee...
Histopathological Survey on Sarcocystis Species Infection in Slaughtered Cattle of Zabol-Iran
Objective: Sarcocystosis is an important zoonotic protozoal disease with worldwide distribution and wide range of hosts. The aim of the present study was to determine the intensity of Sarcocystis spp. infection and to sh...