Outbreak of ocular toxoplasmosis in Coimbatore, India

Palanisamy, M.; Bhaskar, Matcha; Balasundaram, Manohar Babu; Andavar, Raghuram; Narendran, Venkatapathy

doi:10.4103/0301-4738.25839

Cited by 80 publications

(45 citation statements)

References 4 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…More attention is indeed being given to the consumption of water, particularly untreated or unfiltered water, in countries where surface water is the main source of drinking water and where water-filtering systems are malfunctioning or use water filters with a diameter that is too large. Several outbreaks of waterborne toxoplasmosis have been reported both in developing countries (Brazil and India) (167,245) and in developed countries (North America and Poland) (40), suggesting that prevention measures should now stress this specific risk and recommend the consumption of mineral water for pregnant women. Moreover, it has not been excluded that the ingestion of contaminated water from lakes or rivers during recreational activities could be a source of Toxoplasma infection, which may explain the large proportions of cases of unexplained toxoplasmosis in pregnant women, as shown in a study in the Northern United States (41).…”

Section: How To Avoid or Reduce The Burden Of Toxoplasmosis: Preventimentioning

confidence: 99%

Epidemiology of and Diagnostic Strategies for Toxoplasmosis

2012

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

SUMMARY The apicomplexan parasite Toxoplasma gondii was discovered a little over 100 years ago, but knowledge of its biological life cycle and its medical importance has grown in the last 40 years. This obligate intracellular parasite was identified early as a pathogen responsible for congenital infection, but its clinical expression and the importance of reactivations of infections in immunocompromised patients were recognized later, in the era of organ transplantation and HIV infection. Recent knowledge of host cell-parasite interactions and of parasite virulence has brought new insights into the comprehension of the pathophysiology of infection. In this review, we focus on epidemiological and diagnostic aspects, putting them in perspective with current knowledge of parasite genotypes. In particular, we provide critical information on diagnostic methods according to the patient's background and discuss the implementation of screening tools for congenital toxoplasmosis according to health policies.

show abstract

Section: How To Avoid or Reduce The Burden Of Toxoplasmosis: Preventimentioning

confidence: 99%

Epidemiology of and Diagnostic Strategies for Toxoplasmosis

2012

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…[33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40] In the present study, using untreated river and mountain water for domestic needs (i.e., drinking, cooking, bathing, and washing clothes) was also identified as a risk factor for acquiring the infection. The majority of the indigenous communities, especially those people living in rural and remote areas, totally rely on rivers located adjacent to the village as their main source of water.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Seroprevalence and Sources of Toxoplasmosis among Orang Asli (Indigenous) Communities in Peninsular Malaysia

Ngui

Lim²,

Amir³

et al. 2011

The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

This study aims to evaluate the current seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis among indigenous communities in Peninsular Malaysia and relate its association with epidemiological data. Overall seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii was 37.0% with 31.0% immunoglobulin (Ig) G, 1.8% IgM, and 4.2% seropositivity for both anti-Toxoplasma antibodies. Multivariate analysis showed that age above 12 years (odds ratio [OR] = 2.70, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.75–4.04, P < 0.001), using untreated river and mountain water supplies (OR = 1.50, 95% CI = 1.01–2.40, P = 0.050), and close proximity with cats (OR = 1.40, 95% CI = 1.10–1.76, P = 0.010) were factors associated with toxoplasmosis. Given the high seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis among these communities who live in poor socioeconomic conditions, a comprehensive health surveillance program and screening should be initiated among women of childbearing age and pregnant women during the antenatal period for early diagnosis and treatment. The role of domestic cats and environmental contamination with oocyst in soil and water has to be highlighted and addressed in future prevention strategies for these communities.

show abstract

“…The potential morbidity from the ingestion of oocysts of T. gondii and the organism's low infectious dose are a great concern for public health. There are at least four reported waterborne outbreaks of toxoplasmosis (2,3,14,44), and endemic toxoplasmosis in Brazil is associated with the consumption of water or ice contaminated with T. gondii oocysts (1,23), demonstrating the potential for the waterborne transmission of this disease (15).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Detection of Toxoplasma gondii Oocysts in Water Sample Concentrates by Real-Time PCR

Yang

Lindquist

Cama

et al. 2009

Appl Environ Microbiol

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

PCR techniques in combination with conventional parasite concentration procedures have potential for the sensitive and specific detection of Toxoplasma gondii oocysts in water. Three real-time PCR assays based on the B1 gene and a 529-bp repetitive element were analyzed for the detection of T. gondii tachyzoites and oocysts. Lower sensitivity and specificity were obtained with the B1 gene-based PCR than with the 529-bp repeat-based PCR. New procedures for the real-time PCR detection of T. gondii oocysts in concentrates of surface water were developed and tested in conjunction with a method for the direct extraction of inhibitor-free DNA from water. This technique detected as few as one oocyst seeded to 0.5 ml of packed pellets from water samples concentrated by Envirocheck filters. Thus, this real-time PCR may provide a detection method alternative to the traditional mouse assay and microscopy.

show abstract

Outbreak of ocular toxoplasmosis in Coimbatore, India

Cited by 80 publications

References 4 publications

Epidemiology of and Diagnostic Strategies for Toxoplasmosis

Epidemiology of and Diagnostic Strategies for Toxoplasmosis

Seroprevalence and Sources of Toxoplasmosis among Orang Asli (Indigenous) Communities in Peninsular Malaysia

Detection of Toxoplasma gondii Oocysts in Water Sample Concentrates by Real-Time PCR

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About