Toxoplasmosis

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Sections available in full article Introduction, Presenting signs, Acute presentation, Geographic incidence, Age predisposition, Pathogenesis, Etiology, Predisposing factors, Pathophysiology, Timecourse (incubation, duration), Epidemiology (population dynamics), Diagnosis, Presenting problems, Client history, Clinical signs, Diagnostic investigation, Confirmation of diagnosis, Gross autopsy findings, Histopathology findings, Differential diagnosis, Treatment, Standard treatment, Monitoring, Prevention, Control, Sequelae, Prognosis, Expected response to treatment, Reasons for treatment failure, Sources, Publications, Vetstream contributor(s),
Contributors Dr Stephen Barr BVSc MVS PhD DipACVIM
Dr Bryn Tennant BVSc PhD CertVR MRCVS
Dr SandyTrees BVMS PhD MRCVS

Introduction

  • Cause : Toxoplasma gondii, a protozoan parasite of the cat; dogs, humans, etc are intermediate hosts.
  • Infection via sporulated oocysts from cat feces, undercooked meat or transplacental.
  • Signs : usually subclinical, occasional severe multisystemic or central nervous system (CNS) infection.
  • Diagnosis : asymptomatic.
  • Treatment : clindamycin, additional drugs.
  • Prognosis : good to fair.

Diagnosis

Clinical signs

  • Dyspnea.
  • Vomiting.
  • Diarrhea.
  • Abdominal pain (pancreatitis).
  • Cutaneous lesions (rare).
  • Pyrexia.
  • Jaundice.
  • Spastic hindlimb paralysis (puppies).
  • Depression.
  • Hyperexcitability.
  • Seizures.
  • Tremor.
  • Paresis/paralysis.
  • Ophthalmitis, especially uveitis.

Diagnosis

Differential diagnosis


Neurological disease
  • Neosporum caninum Neosporosis.
  • Canine distemper encephalitis (NB. often concurrent infection) Canine distemper disease.
  • Cryptococcus (rare).
  • Rabies Rabies disease.
  • Tick-borne encephalitis.
  • Neuroborreliosis.
  • Psedorabies Pseudo-rabies.

Systemic disease
  • Canine adenovirus-1 infection Canine adenovirus type 1 disease.
Respiratory disease
  • Bacterial pneumonia Lung: bacterial pneumonia.
  • Pneumocystis carinii.
  • Fungal pneumonia.
  • Viral pneumonia.

Sequelae

Prognosis


Subclinical infection
  • Good unless immunosuppressed or concurrent distemper infection.
Clinical infection
  • Fair with appropriate therapy.

Expected response to treatment

  • Clinical signs should start to resolve within 24-48 h of initiation of therapy.

Reasons for treatment failure

  • Too severe.
  • Concurrent immunosuppression/distemper infection.
  • Inappropriate therapy.
  • Incorrect diagnosis.
  • Failure of client compliance.

Sources

Publications

Refereed papers

  • Cook A J, Gilbert R E, Buffolano W, Zufferey J et al(2000) Sources of toxoplasma infection in pregnant women - European multicenter case control study. BMJ, 142-147.
  • Dubey J P (1994) Toxoplasmosis. JAVMA 205 (11), 1593. (General review with an emphasis on zoonotic aspects.)

Other sources of information

  • Taboada J & Merchant S R (1995) Protozoal and miscellaneous infections. In: Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine.Eds: S J Ettinger & E C Feldman. 4th edn. Philadelphia: W B Saunders. pp 384. (Brief but comprehensive review.)

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