Congenital toxoplasmosis

Since congenital toxoplasmosis was first recognized as a human infection 18 years ago, it has been found in many parts of the world, and, following the first report by Jacoby and Sagorin in 1948, over 50 cases have been recorded in the British literature. Only four of the reports from this country concern the findings in fatal cases (Cathie and Dudgeon, 1949; Valentine, 1952; Valentine, Lane, Beattie, and Beverley, 1953; Morris, Levin, and France, 1955). The clinical picture of the congenital disease, with its characteristic tetrad of hydrocephalus, choroidoretinitis, convulsions, and intracerebral calcification, is now well known, but it is probable that the disease may still pass unrecognized as a cause of obscure oculocerebral defects or perinatal death. Two cases are reported. The first emphasizes the remarkable pathology which may be found in the acute infection.