Maternal Toxoplasmosis Often Acquired from Environmental Cat Exposure

Seventy-eight percent of women who delivered infants with congenital toxoplasmosis had acquired infection acutely through cats; only half of them noted having any major cat-associated risk factors.

Toxoplasma gondii is commonly acquired through exposure to cats or their feces or through consumption of undercooked meat. A woman's exposure to this protozoan during pregnancy can result in congenital toxoplasmosis and its devastating consequences. Recently, a test was developed to detect antibodies to T. gondii sporozoites, which are present only after infection with T. gondii oocysts from cats. Now, using in-person interviews and perinatal serum samples from 76 acutely infected women who delivered congenitally infected infants, researchers have examined the correlation between sporozoite antibodies and a mother's recognition of risk factors for acquiring T. gondii.

Fifty-nine (78%) of the mothers tested positive for sporozoite antibodies,…

Reviewing Author

Neil M. Ampel, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesCoccidioidomycosis Study Group (Past President, Secretary, Treasurer)

Neil M. Ampel, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesCoccidioidomycosis Study Group (Past President, Secretary, Treasurer)

Maternal Toxoplasmosis Often Acquired from Environmental Cat Exposure

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Reviewing Author