Definition
Toxoplasmosis is an infection transmitted to humans by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii ; in general, this micro-organism is found in raw sheep meat and in infected pork. The cat embodies the definitive host, in which the parasite reproduces; therefore, contact with infected cat feces can promote infection transmission.
Causes
Toxoplasmosis can be contracted by taking meat or foods infected with cysts or oocysts of Toxoplasma gondii, or simply by contact with feces or saliva of an infected cat.
Symptoms
Toxoplasmosis creates greater damage to pregnant women, since contact with Toxoplasma gondii can cause serious fetal disturbances, such as spontaneous abortions and serious mental delays. In healthy subjects, in general, the disease runs asymptomatically, and the parasite is eliminated by the immune system. In immunocompromised patients suffering from toxoplasmosis, the symptoms may be: asthenia, exanthema, low-grade fever and poor appetite associated with possible hepatic, nervous, ocular, pulmonary and renal damage.
Information on toxoplasmosis - drugs to cure toxoplasmosis is not intended to replace the direct relationship between health professional and patient. Always consult your doctor and / or specialist before taking Toxoplasmosis - Medications to Treat Toxoplasmosis.
drugs
Prevention is the best cure to avoid toxoplasmosis: compliance with simple dietary and hygienic-behavioral rules are among the basic lines to prevent this parasitosis. Immunocompromised patients and pregnant women should pay particular attention to the foods they take, to personal hygiene and to contact with felines, especially if they are stray:
- Avoid contact with cats, especially in the event of pregnancy
- With gloves, it is recommended to change the cat litter frequently when living at home
- Wash hands thoroughly after working outdoors, after meals and after cooking
- Avoid sliced meat and raw meat, especially pork and beef
- Do not drink tap water in developing countries
In general, aside from the cases of immunosuppression and pregnancy, toxoplasmosis tends to self-purify, without the need to take drugs or follow alternative therapies.
Antibiotics and antimalarials are the most widely used drugs in therapy for the treatment of symptomatic toxoplasmosis.
- Pyrimethamine (eg Pirimeta FN, Metakelfin): it is a drug generally used in therapy for the treatment of malaria; it can also be used to treat toxoplasmosis. When taking this drug, it is generally recommended to take folic acid supplements concurrently, as pyrimethamine tends to antagonize folate absorption. For the prevention of toxoplasmosis, it is recommended to take 1mg / kg or 15mg / m2 (not to exceed 25mg) every other day, in combination with folic acid (5mg orally, every 3 days); Sulfadiazine can also be associated with this therapy (85-120 mg / kg per day, divided into 2-4 doses). For the treatment of toxoplasmosis, initially take 50-75 mg of Pyrimethamine orally per day, with 1-4 grams of sulfadiazine. Continue with this dosage for 1-3 weeks. The dosage can be progressively reduced (4-5 weeks). It is recommended to supplement therapy with folic acid.
- Sulfadiazine (eg Sulfad FN, Sulfad ECB): start therapy with a dose of Pyrimethamine attack (200 mg). Continue with a maintenance dose: 1 g of sulfadiazine every 6 hours + 50 mg orally of pyrimethamine once every 24 hours, when the patient weighs less than 60 kilos. If the subject suffering from toxoplasmosis weighs over 60 kilos, it is recommended to take 1, 500 mg of sulfadiazine orally every 6 hours + 75 mg of pyrimethamine every 24 hours. In combination, take folic acid 10-20 mg per day. The duration of the therapy is about 6 weeks.
- Clindamycin (eg Dalacin-T , Clindamycin BIN , Zindaclin , Dalacin-C): it is an antibiotic used in therapy for the treatment of toxoplasmosis. Do not exceed the dosages: the drug may generate severe diarrhea. It is recommended to take 600 mg of antibiotic orally or intravenously every 6 hours. Some patients may also need a pharmacological combination with pyrimethamine: at the beginning, take 200 mg of this active ingredient orally; then, continue with a dose ranging from 50 to 100 mg, once a day. If the Pyrimethamine is administered, also associate folic acid. The duration of this therapy varies from 3 to 6 weeks, depending on the nature and severity of the condition. When the patient is suffering from AIDS, the therapy should be continued for longer times.
- Azithromycin (eg Azithromycin, Zitrobiotic, Rezan, Azitrocin): the drug belongs to the class of macrolides. The recommended dose for the treatment of toxoplasmosis is variable from 1, 200 to 1, 500 mg, to be taken by mouth, once a day.
- Clarithromycin (eg Biaxin, Macladin, Klacid, Soriclar, Veclam): the drug (macrolide) should be taken at a dose of 1 gram, twice a day. Approximately, in the context of toxoplasmosis, the therapy should be continued for 3-6 weeks, depending on the severity of the infection.
- Leucovorin (folinic acid): folinic acid is the active metabolite of folic acid; in the case of toxoplasmosis treatment, the administration of folic acid, especially in conjunction with drugs that could alter its absorption, is essential for the correct development of the fetus. In general, the indicative dose of folinic acid ranges from 10 to 25 mg per day, to be taken per os.
- Spiramycin (eg Rovamicin, Spiromix, Spiramycin MYL): the drug is an antibiotic generally prescribed for the treatment of toxoplasmosis in pregnant women. In similar situations, it is important to start a pharmacological treatment as soon as possible, in order to avoid the transmission of the infection to the unborn child, without running the risk for the mother. Spiramycin is the drug of excellence used in therapy for the treatment of toxoplasmosis in pregnancy . Consult your doctor.
- Sulfamethoxazole + trimethoprim (eg Bactrim): the combination of these drugs (sulfonamide / chemotherapeutic antibiotics) is indicated to treat toxoplasmosis with ocular involvement (toxoplasmic chorioretinitis). It is recommended to take the drug at a dose of 960 mg orally, twice a day.
In the case of toxoplasmosis contracted in pregnancy, the drugs can block the course of the disease, but they certainly cannot cancel the damage when a pharmacological treatment is undertaken too late.
