Neuropsychiatric manifestations of latent toxoplasmosis on mothers and their offspring

J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med. 2014 Sep;27(13):1368-74. doi: 10.3109/14767058.2013.858685. Epub 2013 Nov 26.

Abstract

Toxoplasmosis is one of the most common parasitic diseases worldwide. It is estimated that approximately one-third of the world's population is latently infected. Infection generally occurs via oral the route and maternal transmission. Damage of the central nervous system is one of the most serious consequences of congenital toxoplasmosis. Moreover, recent investigations proposed that acute and sub-acute congenital toxoplasmosis as well as latent toxoplasmosis during pregnancy; play various roles in the etiology of different neuropsychiatric disorders in mothers and their offspring. This paper reviews new findings about the role of latent toxoplasmosis in the etiology of various neuropsychiatric disorders in mothers and their offspring.

Keywords: Congenital toxoplasmosis latent toxoplasmosis; Toxoplasma gondii; maternal infection; neuropsychiatric disorders.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Parasitic / psychology*
  • Toxoplasmosis, Congenital / psychology*