Importance of screening serological examination of umbilical blood and the blood of the mother for timely diagnosis of congenital toxoplasmosis and toxocariasis

Neuro Endocrinol Lett. 2010;31(3):310-2.

Abstract

Objective: Parasitic diseases, particularly the congenital form of toxoplasmosis, can negatively affect the mortality and morbidity of newborns and infants.

Methods: The authors examined 152 samples of umbilical blood in 152 women who had experienced premature delivery with or without PROM. The samples were examined for the titre of antibodies - the CFR, levels of immunoglobulins IgA and IGM (toxoplasmosis) and for titres of antibodies against toxocariasis.

Results: No presence of IGM was demonstrated in association with the congenital form of toxoplasmosis. The values of titres of antibodies against toxocariasis were negative. There was only one case of a titre in a newborn higher than that in the mother. There was no clinical manifestation of the disease.

Conclusion: In spite of the negative result, the authors point out the possibility of a timely diagnosis of these parasitic diseases.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Protozoan / blood
  • Female
  • Fetal Blood / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin A / blood
  • Immunoglobulin M / blood
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Parturition / blood*
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / blood*
  • Serologic Tests / methods
  • Toxocara canis / immunology*
  • Toxocariasis / blood*
  • Toxocariasis / diagnosis*
  • Toxocariasis / immunology
  • Toxoplasmosis, Congenital / blood*
  • Toxoplasmosis, Congenital / diagnosis*
  • Toxoplasmosis, Congenital / immunology

Substances

  • Antibodies, Protozoan
  • Immunoglobulin A
  • Immunoglobulin M