An outbreak of toxoplasmosis in pregnant women in northern Quebec

Article Abstract:

Toxoplasma gondii is an organism that is carried by a wide variety of vertebrates and is the causative agent of toxoplasmosis. Humans can become infected with Toxoplasma gondii from cat feces, by eating uncooked meat, or from contaminated water. This infection can be transmitted from a pregnant mother to the fetus. Congenital toxoplasmosis causes damage to the lungs, spleen, kidneys, eyes and brain of the fetus. Epidemics of toxoplasmosis are not common. Recently, four women from northern Quebec became infected with Toxoplasma gondii during pregnancy. The women and their offspring were evaluated to determine the effects of infection on the newborn infants, and to identify risk factors associated with the development of toxoplasmosis. In two of the four cases, the maternal infection was identified early and treated, and the infants were normal. In the third case, the infant had high levels of antibody to the organism, indicating infection, and also had signs of brain damage. The fourth baby had developed toxoplasmosis, but was not available for follow-up studies. To identify risk factors associated with the development of toxoplasmosis, the results of a questionnaire administered to 22 women who gave birth during the previous year were evaluated. Development of toxoplasmosis and production of antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii (seroconversion) were associated with eating caribou meat and skinning animals to obtain the fur. Women with Toxoplasma gondii infection were six and four times more likely to have eaten seal liver and seal meat, respectively, than uninfected women. It is recommended that pregnant women should not eat uncooked or dried meat, especially caribou and seal, and they should not skin animals during pregnancy. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Health aspects, Development and progression, Pregnant women, Disease transmission, Toxoplasma, Toxoplasmosis, Quebec (Province)

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Agent B: genetics and litogens

Article Abstract:

The editor has consulted in many lawsuits and in 1987 wrote about his experiences regarding 'agent A', a substance contained in a household product. In this case a lawsuit was brought because a child was born with brain damage, and the parents sued the manufacturer of a product containing agent A. A genetic cause for the brain damage was found and agent A was found not to be the cause; however, the case was settled out of court with a sizable settlement. The company that had used agent A in its product (which was now cleared of causality in the parent's law suit) now turned around and sued the company that had sold it agent A. Several subsequent cases have involved 'agent B', a substance important to pediatricians. In these cases it was contended that agent B injured the child's brain; the child's physician and the company that made 'agent B' were sued. Investigation revealed that the logical conclusion is that there is no viable association between the use of agent B and the brain damage, and that the lawsuits should be dropped. Will a sizeable settlement be made now, or will a jury make a large cash award to the patient? Court decisions today are unpredictable in medical-legal cases. Certain substances seem to cause lawsuits rather than congenital malformations, and these should be termed 'litogens.' The legal system could be changed by requiring a judge to appoint and use an expert panel to assist him in the technical areas of a case, unless he himself has adequate knowledge of science and medicine relevant to the case. Without some such modification to the current system, we run the risk of penalizing those who care for the health of children. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Analysis, Medicine, Laws, regulations and rules, Medical jurisprudence, Forensic medicine, editorial

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Genomic imprinting

Article Abstract:

Genomic imprinting, the fact that a particular gene may have a different outcome depending on its inheritance from the same- or different-sex parent, is thought to occur in the DNA located in the nuclei of somatic (non-sex) cells. It does not represent a mutation, nor is it an allele (one of the many possible base-pair arrangements at a gene locus); rather, genomic imprinting is a temporary functional change. The evidence supporting the fact that genomic imprinting is a real phenomenon comes from seven lines of research. These are described. One example is that of the inheritability of the gene for Huntington's disease (a degenerative neurologic disorder), where the disease takes on different manifestations depending on whether the defective gene is inherited from the father or the mother. Ways to identify other diseases of the same sort are discussed; attention must be paid to different manifestations of the same genetic aberration. Regions of the human chromosome that are homologous (structurally equivalent) with those of the rodent chromosome are especially important, since experiments involving imprinting can be performed with mice. The results can then be tested on human genetic material. Genomic imprinting appears to be real, reversible, and to involve a temporary modification of DNA. The phenomenon may be more common than suspected, and may underlie many childhood and adult disorders. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Abnormalities, Physiological aspects, Genotype, Genotypes, Chromosome abnormalities

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