Symptoms of Toxoplasmosis

Everyone knows that microorganisms have a certain cell structure, and Toxoplasma gondii is also a poisonous insect. They have a great impact on the human body, especially on newborns with poor resistance. They may cause many diseases and symptoms in newborns, and in severe cases, they may be close to death. Therefore, it is important to understand the symptoms of toxoplasmosis so that you can detect and treat it as early as possible to avoid delaying the disease.

Systemic infection is more common in newborns. It is often caused by Toxoplasma gondii rapidly multiplying in various organs and directly destroying the parasitic cells. Common symptoms include fever, anemia, vomiting, cyanosis, edema, maculopapular rash, body cavity effusion, hepatosplenomegaly, jaundice, myocarditis, and lymphadenopathy. Death often occurs quickly. The main manifestations of the so-called neonatal toxoplasmosis syndrome are anemia, jaundice, and hepatosplenomegaly.

2. Central nervous system manifestations

The main symptoms are hydrocephalus, brain calcification and various brain malformations. Manifestations include meningoencephalitis, encephalitis, or meningitis. Convulsions, limb rigidity, cranial nerve paralysis, and movement and consciousness disorders are common. The cerebrospinal fluid is yellow, and the lymphocytes and protein may increase. In the late stage, brain calcium meridian occurs in the center of the lesion. In some cases, the debris of necrotic brain tissue breaks off and enters the lateral ventricles, circulates with the cerebrospinal fluid, and blocks the cerebral aqueduct or causes damage to the wall of the cerebral aqueduct.

Any lesion may cause obstructive hydrocephalus. If the lesion is localized, it may cause epilepsy. Death may occur within days or weeks of onset. If the condition improves, sequelae such as convulsions, intellectual disability, and chorioretinitis are often left behind.

Eye diseases are more common, first occurring in the retina, and occasionally the entire eyeball is affected, causing the eyeball to become smaller, deformed, and even blind. It usually occurs on both sides of the eye.

Latent congenital toxoplasmosis is also common, accounting for about 80%. There may be no symptoms at birth, but there are toxoplasma cysts in the nervous system or chorioretina, and symptoms of nervous system or chorioretinal inflammation may not appear until several months, years or even adults.