Congenital Toxoplasmosis

Infection with Toxoplasma gondii, which occurs in both men and women, is usually subclinical and benign. Infection during pregnancy, however, may be a serious and even life-threatening event for the fetus. Antenatal education should focus on avoidance of contact with the sources of infection: the domestic cat and raw or rare meats. A review of toxoplasmosis is presented, and means for its primary prevention through antenatal education are outlined.     

Toxoplasmosis and abortion

The role of toxoplasma infection (a protozoal disease occuring in acquired and congenital forms) in increased incidences of aboriton had been reported by Check and Jerovec (1960) and Remington et al. (1964). To determine the correlation between toxoplasmosis and habitual abortion, a study was conducted at Irwin Hospital in New Delhi during 1971-72. Sera from 67 cases of abortion (44 sporadic and 23 habitual) and from 75 control cases with good obstetric history were tested against Toxoplasma infection by indirect hemagglutination test (Prakash, 1966). Titres of 1:200 and over were considered significant. 1.4% of the abortion cases exhibited antibodies at the significant level; none of the control showed antibodies at this level. A rise in antibody titre of 1:64 and above was observed in 18.1% (8) of sporadic abortion cases and in 47.8% (11) of habitual abortion cases. At significant titres, none of the sporadic abortion cases became positive compared with 1 (4.3%) of the 23 habital abortion cases. These findings support those of Thomascheck et al. (1961) and Remington et al.