Toxoplasmosis

An infection caused by the protozoan that is often caused by eating undercooked meat from infected animals, or by handling faeces from infected cats. In most cases there are no symptoms, but sometimes there may be a feverish illness that resembles infectious mononucleosis. Retinitis (inflammation of the retina) and choroiditis may also develop. In people with an immunodeficiency disorder toxoplasmosis may cause lung and heart damage and severe encephalitis. Toxoplasmosis contracted by a pregnant woman is transmitted to the fetus in about a third of cases. It may result in miscarriage or stillbirth, or the infant may have an enlarged liver and spleen, blindness, hydrocephalus, learning difficulties, or may die during infancy. Infection in late pregnancy usually has no ill effects. The diagnosis is made from blood tests. Treatment (with pyrimethamine and a sulphonamide drug) is necessary only in pregnant women, in children with severe symptoms, in people with an immune system deficiency, and in cases of retinitis or choroiditis.