Toxoplasmosis in pregnancy: often suspected, rarely convicted

Abstract

Toxoplasmosis during pregnancy is uncommon and usually asymptomatic but can cause catastrophic fetal disease. It is often suspected because of non-specific symptoms or positive serological tests. However, false-positive toxoplasma IgM tests are common and confirmatory tests not always reliable. The risk of fetal infection increases as pregnancy progresses; it should be diagnosed or excluded by amniotic fluid PCR, especially early in pregnancy when the risk of severe damage is high. Prompt antibiotic therapy of maternal infection probably reduces fetal infection and disease, but its efficacy has not been confirmed by randomised controlled trials.