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Obtaining Highly Purified Toxoplasma gondii Oocysts by a Discontinuous Cesium Chloride Gradient
Published on: November 3, 2009
Toxoplasmosis in England and Wales 1981 to 1992
Communicable Disease Report. CDR Review
|February 3, 1995
Summary
Epidemiological trends for toxoplasmosis (toxoplasmosis) showed stable overall reports but rising neurological and severe cases in immunocompromised individuals. Acute lymphadenopathic and ocular toxoplasmosis declined in younger populations.
Area of Science:
- Medical Microbiology
- Epidemiology
- Public Health Surveillance
Background:
- Toxoplasmosis, a parasitic infection, presents with varied clinical manifestations including lymphadenopathy, ocular disease, and neurological complications.
- High-risk groups include fetuses and immunocompromised individuals, such as those with HIV/AIDS or transplant recipients.
- Understanding epidemiological trends is crucial for targeted public health interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe epidemiological trends of toxoplasmosis in England and Wales from 1981 to 1992.
- To analyze trends in specific clinical manifestations: lymphadenopathy, eye disease, and neurological disease.
- To examine trends in high-risk groups: fetuses and immunocompromised individuals.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of laboratory reports of toxoplasmosis received by the PHLS Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre (CDSC).
- Data collection spanned from January 1981 to December 1992.
- Stratification of data by clinical manifestation, age group, and risk factors.
Main Results:
- Overall annual toxoplasmosis reports remained stable between 1981-1992.
- Acute lymphadenopathic toxoplasmosis and ocular toxoplasmosis significantly declined in children and young adults.
- Neurological toxoplasmosis and severe cases in immunocompromised individuals (due to HIV, transplant surgery) increased.
- Reported infections diagnosed during pregnancy rose steeply in the late 1980s, but congenital toxoplasmosis rates remained stable.
- Geographically, most acute toxoplasmosis reports originated from southern England.
Conclusions:
- Despite stable overall numbers, distinct epidemiological shifts in toxoplasmosis occurred.
- An increase in severe and neurological forms highlights the impact of HIV and immunosuppression.
- The rise in diagnosed pregnancy infections warrants further investigation into transmission dynamics.
- Effective disease surveillance requires systems capable of identifying subgroup-specific trends.
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