Know the risks of toxoplasmosis in pregnancy

Toxoplasmosis is a disease transmitted by the soil, food, water and feces of contaminated animals, which can cause serious changes in the baby when the mother is contaminated during pregnancy. Toxoplasmosis is also known as 'cat disease' because it is the host of toxoplasma, although it does not suffer from its effects.

Toxoplasmosis in pregnancy is usually asymptomatic for the mother, but it can be very dangerous for the baby. This disease is caused by the protozoan Toxoplasma Gondii , which can be present in raw or undercooked meat, in contaminated raw food and in soil contaminated with cat feces that have toxoplasmosis.

Most women develop lifelong immunity, and about 1/3 of the world population is immune, but when a woman is first infected with this protozoan during pregnancy, it can affect the baby causing serious changes such as blindness or mental retardation.

Symptoms of toxoplasmosis in pregnancy

Usually people are infected with toxoplasmosis without showing symptoms, but when the contamination happens during pregnancy, the woman can show symptoms such as:

• Low fever; Malaise; Inflamed tongues, especially in the neck and Headache.

Even if the pregnant woman does not show symptoms, during pregnancy a test is always carried out to see if the woman is immune, which means that she has already had contact with T. Gondi, and cannot be contaminated again, or if she is not infected. immune, which represents the risk of it being contaminated during this phase. This exam is done in each trimester of pregnancy, during the prenatal period.

If the woman is found to have been recently infected, and possibly during pregnancy, the obstetrician may order a test called amniocentesis to check whether the baby has been affected or not. Ultrasonography is also necessary to assess whether the baby has been affected, especially in late pregnancy.

How contamination happens

Contamination with T. Gondii can happen in the following ways:

• When eating food contaminated with the feces of the cat that has T. Gondii ; When accidentally ingesting the parasite, after touching the infected cat's litter box; When eating raw or underdone meats that are contaminated; When eating fruits and vegetables contaminated raw materials. Washing these foods properly normally eliminates the parasite.

The contamination cycle happens when the cat eats raw meat contaminated with the protozoan cysts. Then the parasite comes out of the cysts and replicates inside the animal's body, where the oocyst that forms the protozoan that comes out in the cat's feces originates. Cat feces can contaminate land and water, which can contaminate other animals, fruits and vegetables.

Domestic cats raised only with feed and never leaving the house, have a much less risk of being contaminated, when compared to those who live on the street and eat everything they find along the way.

Risks of toxoplasmosis in pregnancy

Toxoplasmosis is only serious and affects the baby when the woman is infected during pregnancy, especially in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy. During the first trimester of pregnancy, the risk of the baby being infected is lower, but the risk of injury is greater. Thus, if it is discovered that the woman has toxoplasmosis, the doctor recommends taking antibiotics to protect the baby.

The risks of toxoplasmosis in pregnancy are:

• Spontaneous abortion; Premature birth; Malformations of the fetus; Low birth weight; Death at birth.

After birth, the risks for the baby born with congenital toxoplasmosis are:

• Changes in the size of the baby's head; Strabismus, which is when one of the eyes does not turn in the right direction; Inflammation of the eyes, which can progress to blindness; Severe jaundice, which is yellow skin and eyes; Enlarged liver; Pneumonia; Anemia; Heart inflammation; Convulsions; Deafness; Mental retardation.

Toxoplasmosis may also not be detected at birth, and may manifest months or even years after birth.

Treatment for toxoplasmosis in pregnancy

Treatment for toxoplasmosis in pregnancy is done using antibiotics to treat the mother and reduce the risk of transmission to the baby. Antibiotics and the duration of treatment will depend on the stage of pregnancy and the strength of your immune system. Antibiotics that can be used include Pyrimethamine, Sulfadiazine, Clindamycin and Spiramycin. If the baby is already infected, his treatment is also done with antibiotics and should be started soon after birth.

How to prevent

The precautions to avoid toxoplasmosis in pregnancy are:

• Cook the meat well and wash your hands carefully after preparing; Sanitize fruits and vegetables that will be eaten raw: water and bleach should be used, in the ratio of 1 tablespoon of bleach to 1 liter of water. Vegetables should be immersed in this mixture for 30 minutes and then rinsed under running water; Consume drinking water; Keep raw foods separate from cooked foods, to avoid contamination; Use different boards and knives for raw meat and fruits and vegetables; Avoid eating raw or undercooked meat in restaurants; Do not eat salad in restaurants; Wash your hands thoroughly after touching the cat's litter box; Take pets to the veterinarian to assess the presence of diseases and treat them; Avoid contact with cat feces and if you have to clean them, wear gloves. After all, wash your hands and gloves well; Avoid contact with abandoned cats; If you cultivate gardens, use gloves to protect yourself from contaminated soil.

However, even following these tips, the ideal is that the woman should perform a blood test to check for the presence of toxoplasmosis and start the appropriate treatment.