Congenital toxoplasmosis: the challenge of early diagnosis of a complex and neglected disease

• Published in: Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical
• Main Authors: Janer Aparecida Silveira Soares, Antônio Prates Caldeira
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical (SBMT) 2019
• Subjects: Toxoplasmosis; Child; Vertical transmission; Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine; RC955-962; Arctic
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1590/0037-8682-0228-2018; https://doaj.org/article/8414a90c9b964d3dab3d3022f0f5a9e0

Abstract The objective of this study was to report a case of congenital toxoplasmosis that illustrates the difficulties in diagnosing this disease. The case highlights the lack of prophylactic guidelines and shortcomings in the gestational screening process. It demonstrates the peculiarities of the non-specific clinical picture of the infection acquired during pregnancy and identifies the challenges of ophthalmological and high-sensitivity exams in newborns that are crucial for an early diagnosis. These factors contribute to a delay in early treatment of both the mother and the newborn. The lack of skill and expertise of clinical physicians to manage the disease is also addressed.