[Prevention and treatment of materno-fetal toxoplasmosis]

Preventing congenital toxoplasmosis is fundamental, and in France screening tests for primary infection are obligatory for pregnant women. All nonimmunized women should be encouraged to follow good dietary and general health rules until delivery. Nevertheless, the risk of seroconversion does exist but can be detected early through monthly serum tests. Spiramycin as initial treatment of maternal primary infection is an essential step in preventing parasite transmission to the fetus. Fetal antitoxoplasmosis antibodies and indirect signs of congenital abnormalities should be detected early by amniotic fluid and fetal blood tests before echographic evidence confirms the diagnosis. Pyrimethamine-sulfonamide therapy should be undertaken and modulated according to laboratory results in order to prevent or treat any possible fetopathy. Congenital toxoplasmosis can be prevented in utero through biological diagnosis and specific therapy.