Cellular immunopathogenesis in primary Toxoplasma gondii infection during pregnancy

Abstract

Congenital toxoplasmosis is caused by the vertical transmission of infection from mother to foetus through the placenta when a pregnant woman is infected with Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii). Congenital infection can have serious consequences, such as intrauterine abortion, foetal death and severe neurological, ocular or other organ damage in the foetus. In this review, we focus on recent publications investigating vertical transmission of T. gondii infection, cellular immunopathogenesis and protective immunity in primary toxoplasmosis during pregnancy.

Keywords: Toxoplasma gondii; congenital toxoplasmosis; immunopathogenesis; maternal-foetal interface; placenta; protective immunity; vertical transmission.