The National Collaborative Chicago-based Congenital Toxoplasmosis Study (NCCCTS) is a study that began with figuring out how to best treat children with congenital toxoplasmosis who were suspected to have severe damage. Families travel from all over the world to Chicago to participate in this study. The NCCCTS, which has been ongoing since 1981, has allowed careful evaluation of 2 cohorts of persons with congenital toxoplasmosis. There is one cohort of persons, most often diagnosed with substantial disease in the newborn period and treated in the first year of life, and another in which congenital toxoplasmosis was diagnosed after the first year of life. Sera have been collected from all the congenitally infected persons and almost all of their mothers. Currently, the NCCCTS is interested in how toxoplasmosis affects infected individuals later in life, as at present toxoplasmosis is only treatable, not curable.
Babies with hydrocephalus caused by toxoplasmosis have good outcomes with prompt treatment (News article September 24, 2019)
Shunt placement combined with medical treatment gave these children a chance to live full, normal lives.
Outcomes of hydrocephalus secondary to congenital toxoplasmosis (Original article September 24, 2019)
Hydrocephalus occurs in children with congenital toxoplasmosis and can lead to severe disability. In these cases, the decision to intervene is often influenced by the expectation of neurological recovery. In this study, clinical responses to neurosurgical intervention in children with hydrocephalus secondary to congenital toxoplasmosis are characterized.
Prematurity and Severity Are Associated With Toxoplasma gondii Alleles (NCCCTS, 1981–2009) Clin Infect Dis. first published online April 11, 2012
Genetically disparate Toxoplasma gondii parasites behave differently in animal models and tissue culture. Type I parasites are more virulent, measured as causing death in mice. Type II parasites are less lethal in mice, produce more cysts in brains of mice, and grow more slowly in tissue culture. Type III parasites are intermediate for these phenotypes. Type II and NE-II parasites cause congenital toxoplasmosis in North America. NE-II serotype was more prevalent in certain demographics and associated with prematurity and severe disease at birth. Both type II and NE-II infections improved with treatment.
