Pathogeny and immunological control of toxoplasmosis.

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1994. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

Pathogeny and immunological control of toxoplasmosis.

Braz J Med Biol Res. 1992;25(12):1163-9. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE MED/94093414
Derouin F; Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie, Hopital Saint-Louis,; Paris, France.

Abstract: 1. Toxoplasma gondii is a ubiquitous, obligate intracellular parasite of worldwide distribution. In humans, the parasite exists in two forms: the tachyzoite is the rapidly multiplying stage of the parasite which actively invades host cells and represents the principal pathogenic form at the acute phase of the disease; the bradyzoite is the form which multiplies slowly in host cells, resulting in the formation of cysts which persist in tissues. Several antigenic components have been identified, some of which are characteristic for each parasitic stage; particularly, in tachyzoites, the 30 kDa membrane protein represents up to 5% of the total protein content. 2. Toxoplasma infection in humans is usually asymptomatic because of effective immunity involving antibodies, T cells and cytokines. Activated macrophages, CD4 and CD8 lymphocytes and cytokines, such IFN gamma, play a major role in the control of acute infection and the maintenance of infection at the chronic stage. The alteration of immune functions, as observed in congenitally infected children and in HIV-infected patients, may induce the recrudescence of previously latent toxoplasmosis, in relation to disruption of the cyst form of the parasite. The resulting reactivation is responsible for life-threatening infections which are frequently manifested as toxoplasmic encephalitis. 3. In this review, the parasite and immunological factors participating in the pathogenesis of the lesions associated with acute, chronic and reactivated toxoplasmosis are presented.

Keywords: Animal Antibody Formation Human Immunity, Cellular Toxoplasma/IMMUNOLOGY/*PATHOGENICITY Toxoplasmosis/*ETIOLOGY/IMMUNOLOGY/PARASITOLOGY Toxoplasmosis, Animal/*ETIOLOGY/IMMUNOLOGY/PARASITOLOGY JOURNAL ARTICLE REVIEW REVIEW, TUTORIAL
940430
M9440899

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