Kasey Martin1, Tabitha Lewis1, Carla Arismendi 2, Genesis Green2, Herman Silva Delgado3, Moises Sihuincha Maldonado3, Sany Benites Villasante3 and Lane Rolling3*

1.Alabama State University, Montgomery, AL USA

2.Southern University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, Baton Rouge, LA USA

3.Tropical Pathology and Infectious Disease Association (TPaIDA), Iquitos, Maynas Province PERU

*Corresponding author

Indigenous people in Iquitos, Peru and in the Amazon Jungle do not use contraceptives. Prophylactic condoms are not used by this population of over 80,000 people. Because “safe sex” is not practiced in the Amazon Basin, sexually transmitted diseases are readily contracted. This report observes a case of a two day old neonate born with HIV and syphilis. In this case, the father did not inform the mother that he had HIV and syphilis. Since the mother was unaware, it impossible for the neonatologist and OB/GYN to treat her and prevent transmission of both infections to the unborn offspring. The purpose of the study was to gain knowledge about neonatal transmission of HIV and syphilis. Some of the clinical manifestations in the neonate include blindness, cutaneous lesions on the palms and soles, hepatomegaly, jaundice, anemia, snuffles, and periostitis of long bone. Cerebral spinal fluid tests were administered and resulted in a positive VDRL. An HIV test on the neonate was positive per ELISA. Upon diagnosis, the neonate was placed on a penicillin G and infant antiretroviral therapy (ART) regimen. Despite the clinical manifestations, the neonate was marginally well. Motor skills were satisfactory, and more tests are being administered. Syphilis and HIV still have a tremendous impact in today’s society. The basic biology of the diseases has not changed, but more robust education among individuals in third world countries is direly needed. Education may have the greatest impact to help reduce infectious disease burden and improve the quality of life.

Domonique Dail1, Alicia Hynson1, Alyna Smith1, Herman Silva Delgado2, Moises Sihuincha Maldonado2, Sany Benites Villasante2, and Lane Rolling2*

1.Department of Biological Sciences, Alabama State University, Montgomery Alabama

2.Tropical Pathology and Infectious Disease Association (TPaIDA), Iquitos, Maynas Province PERU

*Corresponding author

Malaria is a vector- transmitted disease spread by the Anopheles mosquito. The causative parasite, Plasmodium, has four known species that infect humans: falciparum, ovale, vivax and malariae. During pregnancy, the parasite prevents the uterus from growing, thereby interrupting fetal growth and causing death in utero. Our objectives were to examine cases of babies that survive gestation and delivery to malaria infected mothers to determine whether the transmission of malaria is maternal or are these infected infants generating immunity to the malaria pathogen thus, resulting in full development. A 1 day old was seen in Neonatal unit with signs of fever, restlessness, drowsiness, pallor, jaundice, poor feeding, vomiting, diarrhea, cyanosis, and hepatomegaly. The baby was full-term. The child’s Mother had treatment for Plasmodium vivax during pregnancy. She had been treated with Chloroquine phosphate and Primaquine phosphate. The mother was slightly anemic with Hemoglobin of 9.5 g/dl and examination of her blood by Giemsa staining revealed the presence of enlarged red blood cells containing trophozoite forms. Examination of blood film from baby by Giemsa staining was positive for Plasmodium vivax. Treatment of neonate with Chloroquine phosphate was started. Transmission of Malaria to infants has a serious impact on societies of developing countries. The impact is economic, social and the health care burden is tremendous. This tends to keep a country from advancing. When a country is burden with the impact of diseases it impacts the whole society. By improving health care, prevention, sanitations we can improve a society.

Shenell Reynolds1, Fred Yeboah1, Calvinesha Weaver2, Charles Deshay3, Karyn Scissum Gunn1, Herman Silva Delgado4, Moises Sihuincha Maldonado4, Sani Benites Villasante4 and Lane Rolling4*

1.Alabama State University, Montgomery AL USA
2.Dillard University, New Orleans LA USA
3.Huston-Tillotson University, Austin TX USA
4.Tropical Pathology and Infectious Disease Association (TPaIDA), Iquitos, Maynas Province PERU

*Corresponding author

Toxoplasmosis is an infectious disease caused by Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii), an apicomplexan parasitic protozoan. Per the World Health Organization (WHO), Toxoplasma sp. are ubiquitous with seropositivity rates ranging from 10%-90% worldwide. Transplacental T. gondii transmission has rarely been documented. The objective of this study was to verify the first reported diagnosis of transplacental transmission of Toxoplasmosis in the Peruvian Amazon Basin. A 3-week old Peruvian neonate was presented with a history of seizures, fever, rash, fatigue and failure to thrive. The mother demonstrated no signs of T. gondii infection during pregnancy. The TORCH panel test was routinely administered during her final month of pregnancy. Physical examination and computed tomography (CT) was conducted on the infant, and the mother’s TORCH panel data were evaluated to confirm possible transplacental transmission of T. gondii. Maternal IgG indicated past infection in the mother. The TORCH panel confirmed Toxoplasmosis. The mother was immediately treated with pyrimethamine, sulfadiazine and leucovorin. Physical examination of the infant revealed chorioretinitis, microcephaly and lymphadenopathy. The infant CT scan showed a profusion of bleeding in the left hemisphere of the brain. The infant’s prognosis is poor, with the high likelihood of severe mental retardation if it survives. This first documented case of transplacental transmission of T. gondii in the Peruvian Amazon Basin may highly impact protocols using TORCH panels for early screening for possible transplacental transmission of T. gondii. Earlier detection will allow for treatment intervention, thereby improving the quality of life and reducing disease burden among third world societies.

Key Words: Toxoplasmosis, transplacental transmission, T. gondii, TORCH panel

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