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| | ===Pathology=== | | ===Pathology=== |
| − | When infection in the
| + | |
| − | placentome is initiated, parasite multiplication causes
| + | Multiplication of ''Toxoplasma gondii'' in the placeneta causes multiple foci of necrosis, which limit effective function during pregnancy. After birth, these areas of necrosis are visible as white spots on the cotyledons. The intercotyledonary areas appear normal. |
| − | multiple foci of necrosis29. These foci of tissue | + | |
| − | damage expand throughout the remainder of gestation
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| − | until abortion or birth when they may be macroscopically
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| − | visible as white spots in the cotyledons of | |
| − | the shed placenta, a feature used to aid diagnozsis"31.
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| − | Diagnosis is also helped by histological examination
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| − | of the brain where there may be both primary
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| − | and secondary lesions32'33. Glial foci, surrounding a
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| − | necrotic and sometimes mineralized centre, often
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| − | associated with a mild lymphoid meningitis, represent
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| − | a fetal immune response following direct damage by
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| − | parasite multiplication. Focal leukomalacia is also
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| − | common and is thought to be due to fetal anoxia in
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| − | late gestation caused by advanced focal necrosis in
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| − | the placentome preventing sufficient oxygen transfer
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| − | from mother to fetus33. Focal inflammatory lesions
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| − | and associated diffuse lymphoid infiltrates may also
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| − | be found in the liver, lung and heart and less
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| − | frequently in kidneys and skeletal muscle33.
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| − | These foci of tissue
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| − | damage expand throughout the remainder of gestation
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| − | until abortion or birth when they may be macroscopically
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| − | visible as white spots in the cotyledons of
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| | the shed placenta, a feature used to aid diagnozsis"31. | | the shed placenta, a feature used to aid diagnozsis"31. |
| | Diagnosis is also helped by histological examination | | Diagnosis is also helped by histological examination |
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| | be found in the liver, lung and heart and less | | be found in the liver, lung and heart and less |
| | frequently in kidneys and skeletal muscle33. | | frequently in kidneys and skeletal muscle33. |
| − | Aborted ewes show focal necrotic placentitis with white lesions in the cotyledons and foetal tissue
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| − |
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| − | Placental
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| − | tissue from infected ewes may also show characteristic
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| − | gross white spot lesions which are visible to
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| − | the naked eye and are areas of necrosis in the tissue
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| − | which will limit its effective function in supporting
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| − | the pregnancy (Buxton, 1990).
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| | ==Treatment== | | ==Treatment== |