Open AccessCongenital Toxoplasmosis: A Case Study
Author(s) -
Ferda Kazancı,
Nursel Yurttutan,
Ayşegül Çömez,
Sadık Yurttutan
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
forbes tıp dergisi
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2757-5241
pISSN - 2717-9443
DOI - 10.5222/forbes.2021.77486
Subject(s) - spiramycin , toxoplasmosis , pregnancy , chorioretinitis , medicine , congenital toxoplasmosis , etiology , fetus , pediatrics , obstetrics , cerebrospinal fluid , toxoplasma gondii , pathology , immunology , antibiotics , antibody , biology , genetics , erythromycin , ophthalmology , microbiology and biotechnology
Acute toxoplasmosis infections that develop during pregnancy can be detrimental to the developing fetus. Although the etiology may derive from various factors, the primary cause of these maternal infections is the consumption of contaminated meat or water. The transmission of the infection to the fetus may result in devastating neurological and ocular disorders. In this article, we present a case of congenital toxoplasmosis that occurred on the 3rd live birth of a 37 year old mother’s 4th pregnancy. During the pregnancy, the mother received Spiramycin as she was (+) for Toxoplasma IgM. In the initial evaluation of the neonate, there were no findings associated with toxoplasmosis. A CSF (cerebrospinal fluid) sample was taken and the patient was followed-up, a re-evaluation was conducted as the patient’s PCR analysis was positive; the diagnosis was confirmed by the presence of chorioretinitis and intracranial calcification. In conclusion, congenital toxoplasmosis is an insidious disease with a slow progression. Physical examination findings may not be apparent during the early neonatal period. These patients should be carefully examined, periodically followed up, and their bodily fluids should be tested.