What is toxoplasmosis?

Toxoplasmosis is a worldwide infection caused by the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii. T gondii infects up to one-third of the world's population. Prevalence of the infection varies with the age of the population studied and by geographic location. The likelihood of having antibodies to T gondii present in the blood (indicating past infection) increases with increasing age. In New Zealand, around 20% of people aged 16–24 and 34% of people aged 25–44 years have had past infection with T gondii.

How does infection with toxoplasmosis occur?

T gondii is an intestinal parasite of cats, but can infect virtually all warm-blooded vertebrates. Cats become infected by eating infected rodents, birds, or other small animals. The cat then sheds millions of microscopic oocysts in its faeces for 1–3 weeks. Mature cats are less likely to shed T gondii if they have been previously infected. Humans can become infected via the following routes of transmission:

• Foodborne transmission is the most common — ingestion of the parasitic cysts in undercooked, contaminated meat (especially pork, lamb, and venison) or poor kitchen hygiene when handling raw contaminated meat.
• Zoonotic (animal-human) transmission — accidental ingestion of oocysts in cat faeces for example, after cleaning a cat's litter box, after gardening, or eating unwashed fruit or vegetables from a garden.
• Congenital (mother-child) transmission — a pregnant woman who acquires a new infection with T gondii can pass the infection to her unborn child. The incidence of congenital toxoplasmosis is approximately 1 per 1000 live births in the United States. Generally if a woman has previously been infected with T gondii and is exposed again during pregnancy, the unborn child will be protected because the mother will already have immunity. If a pregnant woman has impaired immunity, a reactivation of T gondii infection can lead to congenital infection.
• Rarely T gondii can be transmitted via organ donation or blood transfusion.

What are the symptoms and signs of toxoplasmosis?

In healthy individuals, infection with T gondii goes unnoticed. Some people (around 10%) experience 'flu-like symptoms with enlarged lymph nodes, and in rare instances chorioretinitis (inflammation in the eye) can occur. Very rarely, myocarditis, pneumonitis, or encephalitis (inflammation of the heart, lungs or brain respectively) may occur. After an acute infection the parasite remains in the body in an inactive (encysted) state and can become reactivated if immunity is impaired.

In patients with impaired immunity (for example, patients with AIDS) toxoplasmosis can be life-threatening. The illness is usually caused by reactivation of chronic infection. Encephalitis and pneumonitis is common in these patients.

Congenital toxoplasmosis

Congenital toxoplasmosis is one of the so-called TORCH complex infections and has a range of clinical presentations, from mild to severe disease. Symptoms may be present in the newborn period or may not be apparent for many years. Infection is more severe if the transmission is in early pregnancy. Congenital T gondii infection can result in miscarriage, stillbirth or neonatal death. Most affected newborns are symptom-free at birth; however in 10% there is chorioretinitis with blindness and in 20% there is more generalised disease (such as fever, anaemia, jaundice, and enlargement of the liver and spleen) or neurological symptoms (deafness, seizures, and mental retardation). Chorioretinitis and other neurological symptoms may develop later in life.

Eye disease in toxoplasmosis

Toxoplasmosis eye disease (chorioretinitis) can result from congenital or acquired (e.g. foodborne or zoonotic) T gondii infection. Eye infection leads to acute inflammation of the retina, which resolves leaving scarring. The eye disease can reactivate months or years later, each time causing more damage to the retina. Symptoms include eye pain, blurred vision, photophobia, and blindness.

Skin disease in toxoplasmosis

Dermatological manifestations are rare.

Skin lesions of congenital toxoplasmosis

• Papules (small, elevated bumps) primarily on the trunk
• Usually haemorrhagic (bloody) or necrotic (black)

Skin lesions of acute acquired toxoplasmosis

• Variable.
• Can resemble roseola, erythema multiforme, or papular urticaria.
• Lesions may be telangiectatic macules (small, flat, dilated blood vessels), papules, or vesicles (small fluid-filled bumps).
• Rarely, patients present with erythroderma (widespread reddening of the skin) and scleroderma (skin thickens and hardens); this condition may respond to local administration of corticosteroids.
• Cases of acute dermatomyositis-like syndrome have been described.

How is toxoplasmosis diagnosed?

The diagnosis of toxoplasmosis is usually made by serology, i.e. the detection of Toxoplasma-specific antibodies in the blood. Several tests are available to detect these antibodies within several weeks of infection:

• Dye test
• Indirect fluorescent antibody test
• Enzyme immunoassays (ELISA)

Diagnosis can also be made by direct observation of T gondii in stained tissue sections, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), blood, or other biopsy material including skin.

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) can be used to detect T gondii DNA in amniotic fluid during pregnancy.

Serologic tests may be unreliable in patients with impaired immunity.

What is the treatment for toxoplasmosis

Treatment is required for:

• Acute infection
• Active lesions caused by T gondii (for example, in the skin or eye)
• Congenital infection
• Toxoplasmosis in patients with impaired immunity

The most effective treatment is sulfadiazine in combination with pyrimethamine. For patients allergic to sulfonamides, clindamycin is used. Currently recommended medications primarily treat the active form of T gondii (called the tachyzoite stage), but do not eradicate the inactive, encysted form of the parasite.

How can toxoplasmosis be prevented?

Patients with impaired immunity without evidence of prior T gondii infection and pregnant women can take the following precautions:

• Avoid eating undercooked meat and eggs, and unpasteurised milk
• Wash hands after touching raw meat and practice good kitchen hygiene
• Wash fruits and vegetables and wash hands after gardening or handling soil
• Avoid contact with cat faeces