[Congenital toxoplasmosis: possibilities for laboratory diagnosis]

A case history and the steps taken in diagnosing congenital toxoplasmosis in a child whose mother experienced asymptomatic infection with the protozoon Toxoplasma gondii are presented. At pregnancy week 35, amniocentesis was performed because of fetal hydrops, ascites, hepatosplenomegaly and dilated left lateral brain ventricle on sonography. Laboratory tests showed high titers of IgM, IgE and IgA antibodies (acute infection markers) against Toxoplasma gondii in serum of the pregnant woman. Congenital toxoplasmosis in the new-born spontaneously delivered at week 41 was confirmed by detection of Toxoplasma gondii DNA in blood, acute infection markers in serum and hydrocephalus and calcifications on brain sonography. The woman received intensive treatment for toxoplasmosis during the last pregnancy trimester and her new-born child's treatment started immediately after delivery. The accurate diagnosis and early institution of therapy in both the pregnant woman and her child led to progressive normalization of laboratory tests (decreased titers of antibodies and Toxoplasma gondii DNA negativity) and significant regression of the brain lesions in the child.