Scientists claim that seventy percent of people on our planet are infected with parasites, the most common of which is Toxoplasma gondii (Toxoplasma). Many must have heard scary stories about this disease. But is it really so? Now doctors around the world agree that this infection does not pose a great danger to humans. The article will highlight some issues related to this disease, namely: what is toxoplasmosis, diagnosis (PCR) of the disease, what danger awaits pregnant women infected with this parasite, how are they diagnosed and treated.
Causative agents of the disease
Toxoplasmosis is a common parasitic infection in humans and animals caused by simple microorganisms. To detect this disease, PCR analysis is prescribed. Toxoplasmosis is caused by simple intracellular parasites. Visually, they look like a slice of orange or a crescent. Their sizes are very small - about 5-7 microns. These microorganisms can reproduce both sexually and asexually. During sexual reproduction, cysts are formed, it is they that make the human or animal organism infectious. With this infection, the disease can proceed quite aggressively. If products of asexual reproduction enter the body, then the course of the disease, as a rule, is asymptomatic and short-lived, without causing discomfort in humans.
The causative agent of the disease is most often domestic animals, namely cats. There is an opinion that mice infected with toxoplasmosis cease to be afraid of cats, which means they become easy prey for a predator. Unfortunately, people can easily become infected with this parasite. And this causes some disturbances in the body. Toxoplasmosis is especially dangerous during pregnancy. Therefore, if you keep cats at home, you can contact your doctor to order a toxoplasmosis test (PCR). But not only cats can be a source of infection. The carriers of toxoplasma are more than two hundred mammals and more than one hundred species of birds. A sick person does not emit the causative agent of the disease into the environment, therefore, does not pose a danger to others.
Infection mechanism
Often infection occurs through unwashed hands and greens, fruits collected from the ground. When you pet or kiss a pet, Toxoplasma cysts can get into your mouth. You can also catch the disease by eating poorly cooked meat, drinking raw milk.
There are three ways of infection with this parasite: by the oral route (most often), by transplantation of internal organs and by blood transfusion. The cyst begins its path of infection from the lower part of the small intestine, then it enters the lymphatic system, and from there it spreads to all organs. In organs where the cyst begins to multiply actively, inflammatory processes occur. But it should be noted that it is impossible to determine only by external manifestations without toxoplasmosis analysis of PCR. Symptoms of this disease are very similar to the manifestations of a variety of ailments.
Symptoms
As mentioned above, to detect the parasite, it is necessary to pass PCR tests. Toxoplasmosis is insidious in that its symptoms are veiled under the signs of other diseases. Most often, he is confused with SARS. Here are the main manifestations of the disease:
- temperature increase to thirty-eight degrees;
- chills;
- joint and muscle pain;
- fast fatiguability;
- drowsiness;
- lethargy;
- enlarged spleen and liver;
- rash occurs;
- signs of jaundice appear;
- strabismus may occur;
- enlarged lymph nodes.
The incubation period of the disease lasts, as a rule, two weeks, but can reach several months. In a healthy person with a good immune system, the clinic of the disease very often does not appear at all. In this case, the person does not even suspect that he needs to donate blood for toxoplasmosis (PCR). And if, according to many doctors, it is practically safe for an adult, healthy person, then pregnant women need to carefully monitor their health. And several times during pregnancy, take tests for the detection of toxoplasma cysts.
PCR - Toxoplasmosis and Pregnancy
For a woman planning a pregnancy, toxoplasma is very undesirable. The danger lies precisely in the primary infection. If the expectant mother was already a carrier of cysts, then in her body there are powerful antibodies that cope with this infection. But I must say that the percentage of such infection is very small - only 1%. Adversely, this disease can affect the unborn baby only if the infection occurred in the early stages of pregnancy - in the first trimester. Therefore, if you plan to have a baby, then at first limit yourself from the source of a possible infection and pass a PCR analysis. Toxoplasmosis, diagnosed in a timely manner, will protect you from many problems in the future. There is a definite relationship between the timing of infection and the consequences for the child:
- The earlier the mother becomes infected, the higher the likelihood that the consequences for the baby will be very serious. But at the same time, a very small percentage of the disease is transmitted to the fetus.
- With late infection, a low percentage of severe fetal lesions, but a high transmission of cysts to the baby.
Unfortunately, it is not always possible to use tests to determine whether a woman has toxoplasmosis. Diagnosis of PCR is a very complex procedure, it is done only in large medical centers. In small cities and regional centers, there are no such conditions.
Prevention of primary toxoplasma infection during pregnancy
It is necessary to emphasize that the analysis for the detection of toxoplasma cysts must be taken before pregnancy, and not during it:
- If antibodies are detected in the blood of the future mother, then you can safely become pregnant - there will be no danger to the fetus.
- If signs of primary infection are detected, then pregnancy should be postponed for six months.
- If the mother's body has not yet been infected with cysts, then additional precautions must be taken so that the infection does not occur in the first trimester of pregnancy.
So, on time having passed the analysis for PCR, toxoplasmosis can be prevented. The good news is that it’s easy enough to protect yourself and your loved ones from this disease. To do this, it is enough to adhere to the following recommendations:
- strictly observe the rules of personal hygiene: wash your hands before eating; vegetables and fruits collected in the garden must be thoroughly washed and scalded with boiling water, there is only well-done and boiled meat;
- comply with the rules for keeping pets: every day, change the sand pot, rinse the tray with disinfectants; If you notice vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy and lack of appetite in your cat, contact your veterinarian immediately.
And in order to prevent the risk of the occurrence and development of a congenital disease, it is necessary:
- even at the stage of pregnancy planning to take an analysis of PCR - toxoplasmosis, detected in the early stages, is easier to treat;
- comply with all measures to prevent infection;
- to do repeated screening several times during pregnancy;
- in case of primary infection, conduct a full course of treatment to minimize the risk of fetal damage.
PCR (toxoplasmosis). Early diagnosis
It is very important to diagnose the disease on time. Not only pregnant women are prescribed PCR tests (toxoplasmosis). A good definition of infection helps in the treatment of many serious diseases. Here are situations in which a doctor may prescribe PCR:
- HIV infection
- immunodeficiency state;
- hepatosplenomegaly of unknown origin;
- fever of unknown origin;
- lymphadenopathy of unknown origin /
This is a small part of the reasons for which a PCR analysis (toxoplasmosis) is prescribed.
Decryption of analyzes
How is infection determined? How is PCR analysis performed (toxoplasmosis)? Diagnostic methods are the detection of IgG and IgM antibodies to toxoplasma in the blood. Toxoplasma gondii, like all microorganisms, consists of complex organic substances. When they enter the bloodstream, our immune system perceives them as hostile and begins to produce antibodies (immunoglobulins), which accumulate in the body in some concentration. Antibodies M and G are distinct from each other. IgM antibodies accumulate in the early days of infection. In high concentration, they are in the blood of a person for about two months, and then disappear. The maximum number of IgM antibodies occurs in the second to third week. And if a large concentration of this particular immunoglobulin is detected, that is, a PCR analysis (toxoplasmosis) will show a positive result, we can talk about the acute phase of the disease. IgG immunoglobulins begin to be produced three days later than IgM immunoglobulins. The maximum concentration of these antibodies occurs in the fourth to fifth week after infection. These antibodies remain in the blood for life. IgG immunoglobulins prevent re-infection of the body. If the PCR analysis (toxoplasmosis) is negative, then this indicates that the person was not infected with this infection.
Diagnosis
When a detailed diagnosis is formed, then, as a rule, the following is indicated in it:
- a form of toxoplasmosis (it can be congenital and acquired);
- the nature of the course of the disease (inapparent, chronic, subacute, acute);
- type of pathology: systemic or organ;
- the severity of the disease.
Treatment
In no case should you self-medicate if you have been given a positive diagnosis by the results of PCR (toxoplasmosis). Treatment can only be prescribed by a qualified doctor. The method and intensity of treatment is determined by the doctor depending on the testimony. With sluggish toxoplasmosis, the doctor can prescribe only drugs that stimulate the immune system. But with subacute and acute course of the disease, tetracycline drugs, hingamine, antihistamines, vitamins and immunostimulating substances are prescribed. If a diagnosis of chronic toxoplasmosis is made, then intramuscular injections of toxoplasmin are prescribed.
Medical examination
Whether or not to appoint a medical examination, the doctor decides separately in each case. It all depends on the form and course of the disease. If a person has suffered an acute form of the disease, then he will have to be examined every four months. In chronic form - twice a year.
Prevention
Once again, we turn to the methods of disease prevention. Even if the analysis of PCR (toxoplasmosis) is negative, adhere to strict hygiene rules: eat only well-washed fruits, vegetables, greens. Heat the meat products. Properly care for pets. Especially these remarks concern pregnant women or those who are just planning to become a mother.