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Maternal serologic screening for toxoplasmosis
Jennifer A Pinard1, Nan S Leslie, Pamela J Irvine
1Memorial Hospital, Summersville, WV, USA.
Journal of Midwifery & Women'S Health
|October 4, 2003
Summary
Congenital toxoplasmosis, a pregnancy concern, is transmitted via a parasite. Fetal infection risk and severity depend on when the mother contracts the infection during gestation.
Area of Science:
- Medical Parasitology
- Maternal-Fetal Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Congenital toxoplasmosis is a rare but serious pregnancy complication caused by a protozoal parasite.
- Transmission occurs via contaminated sources like soil, water, undercooked meat, or cat feces.
- While cats are involved in disease spread, cat ownership doesn't correlate with infection risk.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the transmission dynamics and clinical implications of congenital toxoplasmosis.
- To discuss the relationship between gestational age at maternal infection and fetal outcomes.
- To evaluate the utility and challenges of maternal screening for toxoplasmosis.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of toxoplasmosis transmission and congenital infection.
- Analysis of factors influencing placental transmission and fetal disease severity.
- Discussion of serological testing and screening strategies.
Main Results:
- Transplacental transmission can occur, with severity inversely related to gestational age at maternal seroconversion.
- Early pregnancy infections lead to lower transmission rates but higher fetal disease severity.
- Serological tests exist but present ethical and practical challenges for widespread use.
Conclusions:
- Maternal toxoplasmosis poses risks to the fetus, with outcomes dependent on infection timing.
- Current disease prevalence in the U.S. does not support universal maternal screening.
- Further consideration of screening protocols and diagnostic dilemmas is warranted.