Download Toxoplasmosis in pregnancy

4 Patient Information
LABOR ENDERS
EN
DE
RS
Toxoplasmosis
during
pregnancy
R
Important information for women
BO
Transmission routes of Toxoplasma gondii:
©
Undercooked
or raw meat Contamin.
and meat
vegetables
products
/windfall
Cow
Pig
Sheep
Goat
Garden- Sand- Litter
ing
pit
box
Soil
Contamination
by cat faeces
Newly infected cat
© Labor Enders
LA
Pregnant women
4 Patient Information
Toxoplasmosis (infection with the
Toxoplasma gondii parasite)
What are the possible consequences of
toxoplasmosis in pregnancy?
R
EN
DE
RS
In healthy pregnant women, an infection with the
“Toxoplasma gondii” parasite rarely leads to symptoms. However, without treatment, a primary infection
around the time of conception or during pregnancy can
have consequences of varying severity for the child.
These range from brain calcifications with possible
convulsions up to hydrocephaly and blindness. The
risk of the infection being passed from mother to child
is lower if infection occurs during early pregnancy than
in mid to late pregnancy.
BO
Who is at risk of infection?
LA
Around 70 % of women of child-bearing age in
Germany have no antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii, and therefore no protection against a first infection.
How can one get infected?
©
The most common sources of
infection with Toxoplasma are
raw or undercooked meat and
meat products (e.g. raw mince,
steak tartare, carpaccio, rare
steak, smoked spreadable sausages such as German Teewurst and Mettwurst, cured bacon, gammon etc.),
but also by contact with cat
faeces (e.g. when cleaning the
litter box or when gardening).
EN
DE
RS
Further sources of infection
include infected raw milk (raw
goat, sheep or cow milk) and
unwashed food that has been
contaminated with
Toxoplasma (salads, vegetables, berries or fruit).
R
How do you know if you have toxoplasmosis?
©
LA
BO
Generally, toxoplasmosis produces no recognisable
signs of illness, so that it can only be detected
through antibody testing in the blood. Flu-like symptoms such as fever, headaches, tiredness, swollen
lymph nodes, joint and muscle pains occur in only less
than 10 % of all cases.
When should you have a blood test for
Toxoplasma gondii?
Ideally 3–4 months prior to a planned pregnancy.
Alternatively during early pregnancy or once your pregnancy has been confirmed by a doctor.
4 Patient Information
Antibody testing
In Germany, testing for Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in blood is paid for individually (individual
health service) and will only be reimbursed by
statutory health insurances upon suspicion of
acute infection.
RS
▶ IgG antibodies
before pregnancy:
(3–4 months before conception if possible)
▶ IgG (and possibly also
IgM) antibodies
EN
DE
during pregnancy:
What to do if you have no antibodies:
▶ You should comply with hygiene practices;
avoid certain foods (see below)
R
▶ Antibody testing every 8–10 weeks
If acute toxoplasmosis is detected:
LA
BO
Specific treatment depending on stage of pregnancy is recommended.
What can you do to prevent infection with
Toxoplasma gondii?
©
Only eat meat and meat products that are thoroughly
cooked through, as well as salads, fruit and vegetables
that have been carefully washed. Avoid raw milk or raw
dairy products. Maintain good personal hygiene after
contact with cats (washing hands). Have somebody
else clean cat litter boxes using hot water. Wearing
gloves while gardening can protect you from direct
contact with potentially contaminated soil.
® Labor Prof. G. Enders & Kollegen MVZ · Stuttgart.2013 · www.labor-enders.de