Congenital toxoplasmosis: Current status of diagnosis, treatment, and prevention

Abstract

Congenital toxoplasmosis, like congenital syphilis and perinatally acquired human immunodeficiency virus infection, usually is not apparent clinically in the newborn, and, because screening is seldom performed, the condition seldom is entertained as a diagnosis. Early recognition and treatment of Toxoplasma infection in pregnant women may prevent transplacental infection and avoid its clinical expression when the infant reaches young adulthood. New programs for screening and early diagnosis have awakened interest among pediatricians in early treatment of this infection. This article describes the parasite that causes the infection, Toxoplasma gondii; its epidemiology; the clinical manifestations of infection; diagnostic tests; treatment; and prevention. Copyright © 2000 by W.B. Saunders Company