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Toxoplasmosis - Diagnosis, Treatment
Toxoplasmosis - Diagnosis, Treatment
Toxoplasmosis - a disease caused by protozoa. Infection of healthy adults almost never leads to any clinical manifestations. Toxoplasma or completely eliminated from the body, or, more likely still exist in it in a weakened form. In the latter case we speak of asymptomatic carriers of toxoplasmosis. It is believed that the carrier is very common in the population - 30-60% of individuals. In support of possible symptoms of toxoplasmosis in a weakened body, when the agent is activated. Thus, clinical disease is most often seen in children or adults with weakened immune systems - chronically ill, undergoing surgery or acute inflammatory diseases. Infection with Toxoplasma is derived from the human pets, mostly cats. Therefore, it is desirable to test a cat carrier of the disease in families where children are going to have. This will prevent congenital toxoplasmosis in a child, which is one of the most severe forms of the disease.
It should be noted that neonatal congenital toxoplasmosis is possible only when the mother becomes infected with toxoplasmosis during pregnancy. If it belonged to a large group of asymptomatic carriers before pregnancy, the unborn child is not in danger. Infection of domestic animals is through getting Toxoplasma oocysts in the stomach, through unwashed hands or dirty food. Coming from the gastrointestinal tract into the blood, Toxoplasma embedded in walls of blood vessels in the brain, eyes, lungs and liver. These agencies are called "targets" for toxoplasmosis, as the most frequently affected. Once in their pathogen in tissues of the formation of the so-called granulomas - small foci of inflammation with a high concentration of toxoplasm - which leads to organ dysfunction.
Frequent clinical manifestations of toxoplasmosis are blurred vision, seizures in the individual and muscle cramps, the development of pneumonitis, enlarged liver and spleen. The temperature rises, fever, and possible confusion for a few days. In adults with normal immune disease can be asymptomatic or manifest only a slight temperature. In congenital toxoplasmosis, the defeat of "target" is very significant. Thus, there may be congenital malformations of the eyeball, hypoplasia of the brain and spinal cord.
Diagnosis of toxoplasmosis is placed on clinical research and specialized immune blood - is determined by the presence of the pathogen and antibodies to it. Sometimes the analysis of cerebrospinal fluid is taken and the tissue of lymph nodes.
Treatment of toxoplasmosis depends on the stage of the process and should be expressed only in the clinic for children and frail adults, conducted it with antibacterial drugs in different combinations. In adults with normal immune treatment is needed.
