Immunopathogenesis Of Toxoplasmic Encephalitis

Abstract

The incidence of toxoplasmic encephalitis (TE) has increased with the increasing numbers of patients with immunodeficiencies, in whom reactivation of latent Toxoplasma infection may occur. This highlights the important role of the immune response in maintaining infection with Toxoplasma gondii in a latent form. Because the brain is the most commonly affected site of latent infection and because it is anatomically unique in regard to the immune system, understanding the systemic immune response to infection within the brain is important. Murine models have proven useful for the study of the immune response to T. gondii and identified the importance of cytokines and NK and T cells in the regulation of protective immunity to T. gondii. Further studies on the development of TE have indicated the possible importance of the interactions of glial cells, such as microglia and astrocytes, with infiltrating T cells to mediate immunity to T. gondii within the brain.

Congenital Toxoplasmosis: A Review of its Pathology, Immune Response and Current Treatment Options.

“…Silveria et al (2001) showed that ocular toxoplasmosis is due to acute infection after birth because the rate of infection in young children was low. Although, postnatally acquired infections were reported to be asymptomatic, manifestations of toxoplasmosis include large lymph nodes (particularly of the cervical region) headaches, muscles aches and sore throat (Hunter and Remington, 1994). Subclinical forms of toxoplasmosis have also been observed in children at birth, without higher incidence of prematurity or low weight at birth.…”

Rapid Identification of Virulent Type I Strains of the Protozoan Pathogen Toxoplasma gondii by PCR-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism Analysis at the B1 Gene

“…Toxoplasmosis is a potentially fatal disease of the developing human fetus and immunocompromised (e.g., AIDS and transplant) patients and can cause severe ocular disease in otherwise healthy individuals (7,10,14). Recent population genetic studies have identified a remarkably limited number of Toxoplasma gondii genotypes in nature, the vast majority of which fall into one of only three distinct lineages (9).…”

A rare presentation of toxoplasma encephalitis in systemic lupus erythematous patient: case report and review of literature

“…From there tachyzoites disseminate throughout the body and reach immunologically protected sites including brain, retina and fetus. [7][8][9] Latent infection with T. gondii involves an elaborate interplay between the parasite and the host in which the parasite ensures its survival and proliferation but avoids fatal damage to the host at the same time. 10 By definition, latent infections involve a complex interplay between parasite and host, producing some degree of harmony.…”