A case of congenital toxoplasmosis-associated miscarriage with maternal infection four months prior to conception

• Published in: Parasitology international Vol. 79; p. 102165
• Main Authors: Simon, Loïc, Trastour, Cynthia, Soler, Albert, Jeannet, Fabienne, Durieux, Marie-Fleur, Passebosc-Faure, Karine, Marty, Pierre, Pomares, Christelle
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01.12.2020; Elsevier
• Subjects: Abortion, Spontaneous - parasitology; Adult; Congenital toxoplasmosis; Fatal Outcome; Female; Fetal death; Humans; Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical; Life Sciences; Miscarriage; Preconception; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications, Parasitic - diagnosis; Pregnancy Complications, Parasitic - parasitology; Toxoplasma gondii; Toxoplasmosis, Congenital - complications; Toxoplasmosis, Congenital - diagnosis; Toxoplasmosis, Congenital - parasitology; Congenital toxoplasmosis; Toxoplasma gondii; Preconception; Miscarriage; Fetal death
• ISSN: 1383-5769; 1873-0329
• DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2020.102165

We report a case of fatal congenital toxoplasmosis with maternal infection dated four months before pregnancy in the absence of any specific immunosuppressive condition. Ms. D. experienced submaxillary lymphadenitis in February 2018. The medical workup performed revealed an acute T. gondii infection. She became pregnant in June 2018 while she still had adenopathy. The second obstetrical ultrasound, performed at 16 weeks of pregnancy, revealed a fetal death. The research for T. gondii by PCR was positive in the products of conception. Diagnosis of toxoplasmosis should be discussed in case of miscarriage with lymphadenitis. As lymph nodes in T. gondii infection could be responsible for iterative release of parasites and fetal death, symptomatic toxoplasmosis should be treated in women of childbearing age. •Symptomatic toxoplasmosis in women of childbearing age should be treated.•T. gondii infection should be sought in women with miscarriage and lymphadenitis.•Pregnancy should be delayed in case of symptomatic acute toxoplasmosis in the past six months.