Publications by authors named "Mari Sautter"
Article Synopsis
- The review focuses on toxoplasmosis rates in Panama and Colombia, analyzing data on seroprevalence and risk factors.
- Studies showed seroprevalence in Ciudad de Panamá ranged from 22% to 44%, with higher rates linked to poverty and closeness to water.
- Heat maps and mathematical models were created to pinpoint areas that need targeted healthcare campaigns for congenital toxoplasmosis and infections.
Article Synopsis
- The purpose of the review was to develop and assess educational materials aimed at reducing disease burdens from infections in Panama, Colombia, and the USA.
- Recent findings indicate that educational programs in these countries have not yet been evaluated for their effectiveness, despite being implemented for various demographics like high school students and pregnant women.
- The summary highlights that these educational materials have shown short-term benefits in disseminating information, with future goals focusing on conducting long-term studies, updating materials based on new research, and increasing access to these resources for broader public health impact.
Purpose Of Review: Review building of programs to eliminate infections.
Recent Findings: Morbidity and mortality from toxoplasmosis led to programs in USA, Panama, and Colombia to facilitate understanding, treatment, prevention, and regional resources, incorporating student work.
Summary: Studies foundational for building recent, regional approaches/programs are reviewed.
Article Synopsis
- The review discusses international efforts to create a global public health initiative for toxoplasmosis, aiming to enhance maternal and child health by preventing and treating the disease.
- Recent findings indicate that some countries are making progress in eliminating toxoplasmosis but face significant challenges.
- Key issues include the high costs and inaccessibility of diagnostic tests and treatment, especially for marginalized communities, as well as delays in essential medical procedures and insurance processes.
Neuroimaging studies for persons in the National Collaborative Chicago-Based Congenital Toxoplasmosis Study (NCCCTS) with symptoms and signs referable to the spinal cord were reviewed. Three infants had symptomatic spinal cord lesions, another infant a Chiari malformation, and another infant a symptomatic peri-spinal cord lipoma. One patient had an unusual history of prolonged spinal cord symptoms presenting in middle age.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Congenital toxoplasmosis is a severe, life-altering disease in the United States. A recently developed enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) distinguishes Toxoplasma gondii parasite types (II and not exclusively II [NE-II]) by detecting antibodies in human sera that recognize allelic peptide motifs of distinct parasite types.
Methods: ELISA determined parasite serotype for 193 congenitally infected infants and their mothers in the National Collaborative Chicago-based Congenital Toxoplasmosis Study (NCCCTS), 1981-2009.
Background: Congenital toxoplasmosis presents as severe, life-altering disease in North America. If mothers of infants with congenital toxoplasmosis could be identified by risks, it would provide strong support for educating pregnant women about risks, to eliminate this disease. Conversely, if not all risks are identifiable, undetectable risks are suggested.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: To determine a cost-minimizing option for congenital toxoplasmosis in the United States.
Methodology/principal Findings: A decision-analytic and cost-minimization model was constructed to compare monthly maternal serological screening, prenatal treatment, and post-natal follow-up and treatment according to the current French (Paris) protocol, versus no systematic screening or perinatal treatment. Costs are based on published estimates of lifetime societal costs of developmental disabilities and current diagnostic and treatment costs.
Reduction of risk for human and food animal infection with Toxoplasma gondii is hampered by the lack of epidemiological data documenting the predominant routes of infection (oocyst vs. tissue cyst consumption) in horizontally transmitted toxoplasmosis. Existing serological assays can determine previous exposure to the parasite, but not the route of infection.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEvidence that prevention, diagnosis and treatment of toxoplasmosis is beneficial developed as follows: anti-parasitic agents abrogate Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoite growth, preventing destruction of infected, cultured, mammalian cells and cure active infections in experimental animals, including primates. They treat active infections in persons who are immune-compromised, limit destruction of retina by replicating parasites and thereby treat ocular toxoplasmosis and treat active infection in the fetus and infant. Outcomes of untreated congenital toxoplasmosis include adverse ocular and neurologic sequelae described in different countries and decades.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPurpose: To determine the incidence of new chorioretinal lesions in children with toxoplasmosis diagnosed after, and therefore not treated during, their first year.
Design: Prospective longitudinal cohort study.
Methods: Thirty-eight children were evaluated in Chicago between 1981 and 2005 for new chorioretinal lesions.
Purpose: To determine the incidence and natural history of cataracts in children with congenital toxoplasmosis.
Methods: Children referred to the National Collaborative Chicago-based Congenital Toxoplasmosis Study (NCCCTS) between 1981 and 2005 were examined by ophthalmologists at predetermined times according to a specific protocol. The clinical course and treatment of patients who developed cataracts were reviewed.