How does infection occur?
The parasite completes the reproduction cycle only in the body of cats, and cysts are released into the external environment with cat feces, which remain in the soil for a long time. A person becomes infected by swallowing them with unwashed vegetables, herbs and berries, when working with soil without gloves, or when cleaning a cat's litter box without subsequently washing their hands. The second important way is to eat raw and poorly cooked meat, which contains tissue forms of the parasite. Transmission from mother to fetus through the placenta is possible. The infection is not transmitted from person to person through household contact.
- Poorly cooked meat and minced meat
- Unwashed vegetables, greens, berries
- Working with the earth without gloves
- Cleaning your cat's litter box without washing your hands
- Transmission from mother to fetus
- It is not transmitted between people through everyday contact
Symptoms
In the vast majority of people with normal immunity, the infection goes unnoticed. Sometimes a picture appears similar to a lingering cold: low-grade fever, weakness, muscle pain and enlarged lymph nodes, most often the cervical ones, which can remain enlarged for several weeks. A separate form is eye damage with inflammation of the retina and choroid, which causes decreased vision, blurred vision and floating spots. In cases of severe immunodeficiency, the parasite can infect the brain, causing headaches, convulsions, and focal neurological disorders. Congenital toxoplasmosis is manifested by damage to the eyes, brain and enlargement of the liver and spleen.
- Most often - no symptoms
- Long-term enlargement of the lymph nodes in the neck
- Low fever, weakness, muscle pain
- Decreased vision, blurred vision, floaters
- Headache and cramps in immunodeficiency
- A newborn has damage to the eyes and nervous system
How to read tests
Antibodies of two classes are usually determined. IgG indicates that an encounter with the parasite has already occurred: for a woman planning a pregnancy, this is good news because it means protection. IgM indicates recent infection, but they can persist for a long time and give false-positive results, so one positive IgM is not a diagnosis. IgG avidity helps clarify the duration of infection: high avidity indicates long-standing infection. If in doubt, the analysis is repeated over time and PCR is used. A doctor must interpret the results, especially during pregnancy.
- IgG positive, IgM negative - long-standing infection, protection is available
- Both indicators are negative - there is no immunity, prevention is important
- Positive IgM requires clarification rather than immediate treatment
- IgG avidity helps estimate the duration of infection
- PCR of blood and amniotic fluid in complex cases
- Repeated study over time
Toxoplasmosis and pregnancy
The risk to the fetus exists only during primary infection during pregnancy; a long-standing infection suffered before conception does not threaten the child. When infected early, the probability of transmission is lower, but the consequences are more severe; in the later stages, transmission occurs more often, but the manifestations are milder. Therefore, if a fresh infection is suspected, the pregnant woman is examined in depth, ultrasound of the fetus is monitored and, if confirmed, treatment is prescribed with drugs that reduce the risk of transmission. Under no circumstances should you start taking medications on your own based on the results of one test: the decision is made by an obstetrician-gynecologist together with an infectious disease specialist.
- Only primary infection during pregnancy is dangerous
- Early stages - less transmission, more severe consequences
- Late dates - more often transmission, milder manifestations
- Ultrasound monitoring of the fetus in dynamics
- Treatment is prescribed only by doctors
- Examination of a newborn with confirmed maternal infection
Prevention
There is no need to give up your cat: a pet that eats ready-made food and does not go outside poses virtually no danger, and petting a cat cannot become infected. The main thing is hygiene. The meat should be thoroughly fried and boiled, do not taste raw minced meat, and thoroughly wash your hands, boards and knives after working with meat. Wash vegetables, fruits and herbs with running water. It is better to wear gloves when working in the garden and with the soil. During pregnancy, it is advisable to entrust the cat's litter box to another family member, and if this is not possible, clean it with gloves every day and then wash your hands.
- Thorough heat treatment of meat
- Do not try raw minced meat
- Wash vegetables, herbs and fruits
- Wash hands and boards after raw meat
- Work with soil with gloves
- Entrust litter cleaning to another family member during pregnancy
- Feed your cat prepared food, not raw meat.
