Human Toxoplasmosis

There is widespread ignorance of toxoplasmosis, a world-wide infection of animals and humans. In pregnancy, it may produce severe congenital abnormalities, while among the immunocompromised (malignancies, organ transplant, or human immunodeficiency virus infection), death may result. Women's awareness of toxoplasmosis has been raised by the media, especially as France and Austria have antenatal screening programmes. Women want testing which is consistent with medical defence advice, but they also need advice on avoiding infection. Toxoplasmosis is likely to become more common, and those who manage at-risk patients must be aware of the infection, and the latest techniques for minimizing its serious complications. This comprehensive volume, which will be of value to medical practitioners and other professionals dealing with toxoplasmosis, contains chapters on the history of toxoplasmosis, its clinical features and life cycle, diagnosis management, prevention and possible future developments. Animal infection, with its important economic and human implications, is considered separately. The appendix contains a detailed treatment of common questions that arise in pregnancy, which will help practitioners explain the condition to their patients.Table of ContentHistory and general epidemiology, David Ashburn; life cycle and animal infection, Roger Evans; clinical features, Darrel O. Ho-Yen; diagnosis, Alex W.L. Joss; treatment, Alex W.L. Joss; pregnancy, Jean M.W. Chatterton; immunocompromised patients, Darrel O. Ho-Yen; new techniques, Marilyn M. Davidson; the future, Darrel O. Ho-Yen. Appendices, Darrel O. Ho-Yen: common questions asked in pregnancy; infection in the laboratory.