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[Clinical view of toxoplasmosis in children--personal observations]
D Czarnecka-Rudnik1, F Stanek-Bazylko
1Oddziału Dzieciecego Szpitala Miejskiego w Gdyni.
Insights
This study reviewed toxoplasmosis in children, finding nodal, ocular, and ocular-cranial forms most common. Treatment effectively prevented illness recurrence, with two therapeutic models recommended for use.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Parasitology
Background:
- Toxoplasmosis in children presents diverse clinical manifestations.
- Congenital and acquired forms require effective management strategies.
- Long-term observation is crucial for evaluating treatment efficacy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze clinical features of childhood toxoplasmosis.
- To evaluate serological screening methods.
- To assess the effectiveness of different treatment regimens.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of treated pediatric toxoplasmosis cases.
- Observation of clinical changes and antibody levels over several years.
- Comparison of immunofluorescence and ELISA for antibody level monitoring.
Main Results:
- Nodal, ocular, and ocular-cranial forms were most frequent, with symptoms including enlarged lymph nodes, strabismus, and intracranial calcifications.
- Treatment correlated with decreased antibody levels in acquired toxoplasmosis.
- Leukopenia and thrombocytopenia were rare complications of treatment.
Conclusions:
- Both 30-day (Daraprim, Rovamycine, Biseptol) and 2-3 week (Fansidar, Rovamycine) treatment protocols effectively prevent toxoplasmosis recurrence in children.
- Serological screening methods show varying speeds in detecting antibody level decreases.
- Recommended therapeutic models offer a basis for managing pediatric toxoplasmosis.
Abstract:
In this work we presented our own experience with recognized and treated toxoplasmosis among children. Treated cases were observed over several years afterwards. We analyzed the frequency and character of clinical changes, evaluated the validity of serological screening and the effectiveness of treatment. The largest age group treated were children 13 months to 5 years old. 13 children had the congenital and 12 the acquired form. The most cases occurred in the nodal, ocular and ocular-cranial forms. Thus, the most common symptoms were enlarged lymphatic nodes, strabismus, febrile seizures, intracranial calcifications. In the acquired forms of the illness a distinct correlation between treatment and the decrease antibody levels, the clinical pictures showed stagnation. The fall in antibody levels occurred earlier with intermediate immunofluorescence than with ELISA method. Among 20 children associated 30-day treatment was implemented (Daraprim, Rovamycine, Biseptol), among 4 with Fansidar and Rovamycine for 2-3 weeks. Few complications occurred at the end of or after treatment and did not require treatment/intervention. Usually it was leukopenia and thrombocytopenia. Long time observation allows to state that both therapeutic models prevent renewal of illness and can be recommended for further use.