Congenital toxoplasmosis is currently the second most commonly recognized congenital infection, but approximately 10-fold less common than congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV).
Caused by Toxoplasma gondii, a protozoal parasite infecting mammals (especially domestic cats) and birds.
Humans typically infected via ingestion of food (commonly meats) contaminated with cysts or oocysts.
Clinical Presentation and Maternal Infection
Maternal symptoms often mild or absent; if present, commonly lymphadenopathy, sometimes accompanied by fever, resembling infectious mononucleosis.
Congenital infection rates range from 0.1–1.0 per 1000 live births; particularly high prevalence in France.
Majority of infected infants asymptomatic at birth; infection transmitted from maternal blood to placenta and subsequently fetal circulation.
