Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- List of contributors
- Preface
- Historical perspective
- 1 Biology of toxoplasmosis
- 2 Immunology of toxoplasma infection
- 3 The epidemiology of toxoplasma infection
- 4 Infection in the immunocompetent
- 5 Toxoplasma infection in HIV-infected patients
- 6 Toxoplasma infection in immunosuppressed (HIV-negative) patients
- 7 Maternal and foetal infection
- 8 Prenatal screening for toxoplasma infection
- 9 Newborn screening for congenital toxoplasma infection
- 10 Infections in neonates and infants
- 11 Ocular infection
- 12 Laboratory diagnosis of toxoplasma infection
- 13 Antitoxoplasma chemotherapy
- 14 Toxoplasma vaccines
- Appendices: protocols for treatment and management
- 1 Suggested treatment protocols
- 2 Management of toxoplasma infection in pregnancy
- 3 Hygiene measures to prevent infection
- 4 Classification system and case definitions of Toxoplasma gondii infection in immunocompetent pregnant women and their congenitally infected offspring
- Index
Preface
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 24 September 2009
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- List of contributors
- Preface
- Historical perspective
- 1 Biology of toxoplasmosis
- 2 Immunology of toxoplasma infection
- 3 The epidemiology of toxoplasma infection
- 4 Infection in the immunocompetent
- 5 Toxoplasma infection in HIV-infected patients
- 6 Toxoplasma infection in immunosuppressed (HIV-negative) patients
- 7 Maternal and foetal infection
- 8 Prenatal screening for toxoplasma infection
- 9 Newborn screening for congenital toxoplasma infection
- 10 Infections in neonates and infants
- 11 Ocular infection
- 12 Laboratory diagnosis of toxoplasma infection
- 13 Antitoxoplasma chemotherapy
- 14 Toxoplasma vaccines
- Appendices: protocols for treatment and management
- 1 Suggested treatment protocols
- 2 Management of toxoplasma infection in pregnancy
- 3 Hygiene measures to prevent infection
- 4 Classification system and case definitions of Toxoplasma gondii infection in immunocompetent pregnant women and their congenitally infected offspring
- Index
Summary
Exactly one hundred years ago, the first description of Toxoplasma gondii was recorded but a further 60 years were to elapse before the final identification of the cat family as the definitive host was made. The heteroxenous nature of the parasite, its ability to infect any warm-blooded creature, the territorial range of its hosts (especially birds) and the production of tissue cysts that can survive for many years have contributed to the world-wide dissemination of the infection. Indeed, it is reasonable to conclude that perhaps T.gondii is one of the most successful parasites on Earth. About one billion people throughout the world are infected though the prevalence of infection shows consideration geographical variation.
Transmission of infection is by ingestion of either oocysts as a result of environmental contamination or tissue cysts in raw or undercooked meat. It is probable that the favoured route of transmission varies in different parts of the world – the epidemiology of the infection is still not completely known. It is also possible that other vectors, for example water and aerosols, may be involved.
Toxoplasma infection can be acute, chronic, latent/quiescent or re-activated, while the clinical presentation, investigation and management can vary according to the specific patient group involved. Infection in the immunocompetent, though very common, is generally regarded as a trivial event though there are suggestions that it may in fact be a more debilitating illness than was previously supposed.
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- ToxoplasmosisA Comprehensive Clinical Guide, pp. xi - xiiPublisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2001