DISEASE NAME:
Toxoplasmosis
CATEGORY:
Zoonotic
Toxoplasmosis
Toxoplasmosis is an infection caused by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii. In various parts of the world, between 10% and 50% of people carry the Toxoplasma parasite, but very few have symptoms because the immune system usually keeps the parasite from causing illness. However, pregnant women should be careful because an infection can cause harm to their baby.
Case Definitions
Clinical criteria
Any person with an acute illness with at least one of the following four:
- lymphadenopathy
- encephalitis
- chorioretinitis
- dysfunction of the central nervous system
(Congenital infections may also occur with hydrocephalus, microcephaly, intracerebral calcification, convulsions, mental retardation)
Laboratory criteria
At least one of the following three:
- Demonstration of a specific toxoplasma antibody response
- Demonstration of T. gondii in body tissues or fluids
- Detection of T. gondii nucleic acid in a clinical specimen
Epidemiological criteria
NA
Case classification
A. Possible case
NA
B. Probable case
NA
C. Confirmed case
Any person meeting the clinical and the laboratory criteria
Toxoplasmosis (congenital)
Clinical criteria
Not relevant for surveillance purposes
Laboratory criteria
At least one of the following four:
- Demonstration of T. gondii in body tissues or fluids
- Detection of T. gondii nucleic acid in a clinical specimen
- T. gondii specific antibody response (IgM, IgG, IgA) in a newborn
- Persistently stable IgG T. gondii titres in an infant (<12 months of age)
Epidemiological criteria
NA
Case classification
A. Possible case
NA
B. Probable case
NA
C. Confirmed case
Any infant meeting the laboratory criteria
Current as of: 7 March 2019
Information, Data and Reports for Toxoplasmosis
Ireland’s specialist service for the surveillance of communicable diseases.