Toxoplasma gondii

For years, toxoplasmosis has been known as disease mostly affecting newborns. Since immunocompromised patients (AIDS) present a high risk of reactivation of chronic toxoplasmosis this parasitic disease has gained increasing interest. Besides presenting clinical and therapeutical concepts, this volume provides current knowledge about genetics and immunology of T. gondii and the interaction with its 'host'. Since in vivo and in vitro models of toxoplasmosis exist, and genetic manipulation has become possible, this protozoan parasite has recently been accepted as a model for understanding the pathogenesis and persistance of other intracellular parasites. The articles of the book compromise both reviewing current concepts and reporting on yet unpublished results of leading scientists in this field.

Inhalt
A Population Structure of Toxoplasma gondii: Implications of Clonality.- Genetic Basis of Pathogenicity in Toxoplasmosis.- DNA Polymorphisms Associated with Murine Virulence of Toxoplasma gondii Identified by RAPD-PCR.- Biodiversity in Toxoplasma gondii.- B The Parasite: From Antigens to Genes.- The Major Surface Proteins of Toxoplasma gondii: Structures and Functions.- Toxoplasma gondii Microneme Proteins: Gene Cloning and Possible Function.- Role of Secretory Dense Granule Organelles in the Pathogenesis of Toxoplasmosis.- Serological Recognition of Toxoplasma gondii Cyst Antigens.- Toxoplasma gondii: Kinetics of Stage-Specific Protein Expression During Tachyzoite-Bradyzoite Conversion in Vitro.- Bradyzoite-Specific Genes.- C The Host: Immunogenetics and Immune Response.- Immunogenetics in Pathogenesis of and Protection Against Toxoplasmosis.- Cells and Cytokines in Resistance to Toxoplasma gondii.- Role of Macrophage-Derived Cytokines in the Induction and Regulation of Cell-Mediated Immunity to Toxoplasma gondii.- Role of Nitric Oxide-Induced Immune Suppression in Toxoplasmosis During Pregnancy and in Infection by a Virulent Strain of Toxoplasma gondii.- Cytokine Production by Human Cells after Toxoplasma gondii Infection.- Characterization of Human T Cell Clones Specific for Toxoplasma gondii.- Toxoplasma Proteins Recognized by Protective T Lymphocytes.- Immunological Control of Toxoplasma gondii and Appropriate Vaccine Design.- D Diagnosis and Treatment of Toxoplasmosis.- Detection of IgA anti-P30 (SAG1) Antibodies in Acquired and Congenital Toxoplasmosis.- AIDS-Associated Cerebral Toxoplasmosis: An Update on Diagnosis and Treatment.- Co-infection of Toxoplasma gondii with Other Pathogens: Pathogenicity and Chemotherapy in Animal Models.- Influence of AntimicrobialAgents on Replication and Stage Conversion of Toxoplasma gondii.- Molecular Genetic Tools for the Identification and Analysis of Drug Targets in Toxoplasma gondii.- Studies of the Effect of Various Treatments on the Viability of Toxoplasma gondii Tissue Cysts and Oocysts.