Scientists claim that seventy percent of peopleon our planet are infected with parasites, the most common of which is Toxoplasma gondii (toxoplasma). Many probably heard terrible stories about this disease. But is it really so? Now doctors all over the world agree that this infection does not pose a great danger to a person. The article will cover some issues related to this disease, namely: what is toxoplasmosis, the diagnosis (PCR) of the disease, what danger lies in pregnant women infected with this parasite, how they perform diagnostics and treatment.
Toxoplasmosis is a common parasiteinfection of humans and animals, caused by protozoa microorganisms. To identify this disease, PCR analysis is prescribed. Toxoplasmosis causes the simplest intracellular parasites. Visually, they look like an orange slice or a crescent moon. Their dimensions are very small - about 5-7 microns. These microorganisms can reproduce both sexually and asexually. During sexual reproduction, cysts are formed, they make the human or animal organism contagious. With such infection, the disease can proceed quite aggressively. If the products of asexual reproduction have got into the body, then the course of the disease, as a rule, passes asymptomatically and briefly, without causing discomfort in a person.
The causative agent of the disease most often becomepets, 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 too can easily become infected with this parasite. And it causes some disorders in the body. Especially dangerous is toxoplasmosis in pregnancy. Therefore, if you keep cats at home, you can contact your doctor to have an analysis for toxoplasmosis (PCR). But not only cats can be a source of contagion. Carriers of toxoplasma are more than two hundred mammals and more than one hundred species of birds. A sick person does not isolate the causative agent of the environment into the environment, therefore he does not pose a danger to others.
Often, infection occurs through unwashed hands andgreens, fruits harvested from the ground. When you pet or kiss a pet, the toxoplasmic cysts can get into your mouth. You can also catch the disease by eating poorly thermally processed meat by drinking raw milk.
There are three ways of infection with this parasite:by oral route (most often), with internal organ transplantation and blood transfusion. His path of infection of the cyst begins with the lower part of the small intestine, then 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 PCR analysis of toxoplasmosis. Symptoms of this disease are very similar to manifestations of a variety of ailments.
As mentioned above, to detect a parasiteit is necessary to take PCR tests. Toxoplasmosis is cunning in that its symptoms are veiled under the signs of other diseases. Most often it is confused with ARVI. Here are the main manifestations of the disease:
For a woman planning a pregnancy, get infectedtoxoplasm is very undesirable. The danger lies precisely in the primary infection. If the future mother was already a carrier of cysts, then her body has powerful antibodies that cope with this infection. But I must say that the percentage of such infection is very small - only 1%. Harmfully this disease can affect the future baby only if the infection occurred in the early stages of pregnancy - in the first trimester. Therefore, if you are planning to have a baby, then at first limit yourself from the source of possible infection and give the PCR analysis. Toxoplasmosis, diagnosed in a timely manner, will save you from many problems in the future. There is a definite relationship between the timing of the infection and the consequences for the child:
Unfortunately, it is not always possible to useanalyzes to determine whether a woman has toxoplasmosis. Diagnosis of PCR is a very complicated procedure, it is done only in large medical centers. In small towns and district centers there are no such conditions.
It is necessary to emphasize that the analysis for the detection of cysts of toxoplasm should be given before pregnancy, but not during it:
So, in time having handed over the analysis on PTSR, toxoplasmosiscan be warned. Pleases that from this disease it is easy enough to protect yourself and your loved ones. To do this, it is sufficient to adhere to the following recommendations:
And in order to prevent the risk of the onset and development of an innate disease, it is necessary:
It is very important to diagnose the disease in time.Not only pregnant women are given PCR tests (toxoplasmosis). The qualitative definition of infection helps in the treatment of many serious diseases. Here are the situations in which a doctor can prescribe a PCR:
This is a small part of the reasons for which PCR analysis (toxoplasmosis) is prescribed.
How is the presence of infection determined?How is PCR (toxoplasmosis) performed? The diagnostic methods consist in detecting in the blood of antibodies IgG and IgM to toxoplasma. Toxoplasma gondii, like all microorganisms, consists of complex organic substances. When they enter the blood, our immune system perceives them as hostile and begins to produce antibodies (immunoglobulins) that accumulate in the body in some concentration. Antibodies M and G are different from each other. IgM antibodies accumulate in the first days of infection. In high concentrations, they are in the blood of a person for about two months, and then disappear. The maximum number of antibodies IgM falls on the second - third week. And if a greater concentration of this particular immunoglobulin is detected, that is, a PCR (toxoplasmosis) positive test will show the result, we can speak about the acute phase of the disease. Immunoglobulins IgG begin to be produced three days later than immunoglobulins IgM. The maximum concentration of these antibodies occurs in the fourth to fifth week after infection. These antibodies remain in the blood for life. Immunoglobulins IgG prevent re-infection of the body. If the PCR analysis (toxoplasmosis) is negative, this indicates that the person has not been infected with the infection.
When the detailed diagnosis is formed, then, as a rule, the following is indicated in it:
In no case should not self-medicatein the event that you have been positively diagnosed by PCR (toxoplasmosis). Treatment can be prescribed only by a qualified doctor. The method and intensity of treatment is determined by the doctor depending on the indications of the tests. With sluggish toxoplasmosis, a doctor can prescribe only drugs that stimulate the immune system. But with the subacute and acute course of the disease, tetracycline drugs, hingamine, antihistamines, vitamins and immunostimulating agents are prescribed. If the diagnosis is "chronic toxoplasmosis," then intramuscular injections of toxoplasmamine are prescribed.
To appoint or not prophylactic medical examination, the doctor decidesseparately in each case. Everything depends on the form and course of the disease. If a person suffers an acute form of the disease, he will have to be inspected every four months. In chronic form - twice a year.
Once again, we turn to the methods of preventiondisease. Even if the PCR test (toxoplasmosis) is negative, follow the strict rules of hygiene: eat only well-washed fruits, vegetables, greens. Carry out heat treatment of meat products. Properly take care of pets. Especially these comments concern pregnant women or those who are just planning to become a mother.
