Abstract
The purpose of this study was to elucidate the pathological changes that occur in the eyes of fetuses of female mice, infected, experimentally, with Toxoplasma gondii. Placentas of women aborted due to Toxoplasma gondii constituted the source of the parasite used in this study. Propagation of the parasite was done in White Swiss Balb/C mice. Following mating of these mice, suspensions of placentas were prepared and used for experimental infection of mice at 10, 15 and 20 days of pregnancy. Additionally, 1-2 days old new borne mice from experimentally infected mothers were also examined.
Histopahtological examination of the eyes of fetuses from mice that were given the inoculum at the 10th day of pregnancy revealed hemorrhages and necrosis of the optic nerve tissue, thinning of the retina, necrosis and sloughing of internal layer of the retina. The parasite was not seen in the eyes sections. When the inoculum was given at the 15th day of pregnancy, focal necrosis and sloughing of the internal layer of the retina as well as detachment of the retina were seen. Toxoplasma gondii organisms were not detected. Giving the inoculum on the 20th day of pregnancy has caused fragmentation of the eye lense and the accumulation of tissue debris near the lense. Vacular degeneration of the various layers of the retina. The parasite was not seen in the eye sections. Histopathological examination of eyes of 2 days old new borne mice from mothers that have been given the placental suspension before mating revealed focal necrosis of the internal layer of the retina and detachment of the necrotic foci. Detachment of the retina and the presence of forms of Toxoplasma gondii in the retina were also noticed.