[Screening for toxoplasmosis in pregnancy--a pilot program in Northeast Germany]

A general serological screening of pregnant women for toxoplasmosis was carried out by means of an IgG-ELISA in Greifswald and its surroundings from October 1986 to the end of 1990. Anti-toxoplasma gondii antibodies were detected in 72.8% of 4355 pregnant women. Since 1987, the prevalence of antibodies has decreased from 76% to 68%. The incidence of acquired toxoplasmosis in pregnancy was 2.53 per 1000. Seroconversion occurred in 11 women, but only 8 of them were treated with combined pyrimethamine and sulphamerazine. Despite treatment we observed 3 connatal infections. No newborn infant had clinical symptoms. With regard to the epidemiological situation, a toxoplasmosis screening is recommendable, at least in our area, from an ethical, moral, medical and economical point of view. To ensure, that toxoplasmosis screening is adequately effective, treatment of the pregnant women and their infants must be guaranteed both organisationally and professionally. It must also comprise health education measures, especially for non-immunised women to avoid the well-known main sources of infection.