Environmental exposure of pregnant women to infection with Toxoplasma gondii--state of the art

Abstract

Infection with T. gondii is particularly dangerous for pregnant women as it may lead to the transplacental passage of the parasite. Currently, congenital toxoplasmosis is the second most frequent intrauterine infection. The risk of transmission of T. gondii to the foetus varies throughout the world and ranges from 0.6-1.7/1,000 of pregnant women. The consequences of congenital toxoplasmosis are multifarious. On the basis of current literature review, the authors discuss the epidemiological and clinical aspects of toxoplasmosis in pregnant women, the influence of climatic and environmental factors that may lead to an increase in T. gondii infections in humans, particularly in pregnant women, and the principles of prophylactics against T. gondii infections in those women.