Congenital toxoplasmosis infection in an infant born to an HIV-1-infected mother

Abstract

We report the occurrence of congenital toxoplasmosis in an infant born to an HIV infected mother who had high anti-toxoplasma IgG and negative IgM at nine weeks of gestation. We briefly review available literature and discuss the possible mechanisms of transmission of congenital toxoplasmosis among HIV infected pregnant women.

Toxoplasmosis in HIV/AIDS Patients - A Living Legacy

“…This indicates that a routine screening for not only children from HIV-infected mothers should be used to detect congenital toxoplasmosis but also in pregnant women to confirm an early diagnosis of a reactivation of a chronic Toxoplasma infection. The first case of congenital toxoplasmosis was reported in Brazil, this was from an HIV-infected mother with a high titer of IgG but negative for IgM antibodies (Cruz et al, 2007). This highlights the special attention needed for analysis of maternal titers of anti-Toxoplasma antibody during HIV prenatal care.…”

“…Seven of the 50 studies were conducted on HIV-infected pregnant women, 2 reported a high seroprevalence, 53.7% in Thailand (Wanachiwanawin et al, 2001) and 74% in Brazil (Cruz et al, 2007). Considering these epidemiological studies (Table 1), geographical location, environment, socio-economic, clinical and diagnostic methods are among the factors that can pin point the differences of Toxoplasma infections between these affected areas.…”

Toxoplasmosis-Serological Evidence and Associated Risk Factors among Pregnant Women in Southern Thailand

“…22,23 Moreover, IgG avidity can assist during the first trimester of pregnancy when recent maternal infection reveals low IgG avidity to indicate a high risk of congenital infection. 24 The epidemiological study on toxoplasmosis in pregnant women would be incomplete without assessing their significant risk behaviors. The seroprevalence of Toxoplasma IgG antibody in our pregnant women increased with age, [25][26][27][28] and can be explained because even though some of these countries are located in different geographical zones, we definitely share certain similarities in terms of our environment, culture, and life styles.…”

Toxoplasma gondii antibody profile in HIV-1-infected and uninfected pregnant women and the impact on congenital toxoplasmosis diagnosis in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

“…In our literature review, three additional cases of fetal infection due to reactivation of maternal toxoplasmosis in HIV-1-infected women were found in the last three years. 7,31,32 Our study has some limitations. The results were based on cross-sectional data from HIV-positive patients with chronic T. gondii infection who may not represent the hypothetical original cohort of patients, among whom losses were not random.…”