Toxoplasmosis
Shelby Oldridge
What is Toxoplasmosis?
- Infectious disease caused by parasite: Toxoplasma gondii
- Can be acquired at birth from infected mother
- Can come from changing cat liter that has infected feces
- Most severe when transmitted during 2nd-6th month of pregnancy
Description of Defect
In babies it can cause: Seizures, enlarged liver and spleen, jaundice, and severe eye infections. It is one of the world's most common parasites. Flu like symptoms, fever muscle aches, and swollen lymph nodes are common symptoms.
Causes and Complications
Most common ways of acquiring the parasite is changing contaminated cat liter, ingesting contaminated raw meat, and contaminated water. In babies it can cause blindness, brain defects, and serious conditions. Most severe when transmitted through 2nd-6th month of pregnancy.
Testing and Treatment
Can be tested with blood samples, test for unborn baby is called amniocentesis. In that test they will take a sample of blood from the umbilical cord. During pregnancy, mother can be treated with antibiotics. These drugs may cause serious effects for mother and unborn baby.