It is not only the cat that did it: How to prevent and treat congenital toxoplasmosis

SummaryThe apicomplexan parasite Toxoplasma gondii was discovered a little over one hundred years ago and was soon recognized as a pathogen responsible for congenital infection. But detailed understanding of its epidemiology emerged only after 1970 with the discovery of its life cycle. In the last ten years, high resolution molecular tools have allowed the characterization of various strain types with different virulence patterns, and current studies are exploring the distribution of these different genotypes. In parallel, sophisticated diagnostic tools have been developed and awareness of disease burden has led some European countries with high prevalence rates to implement screening of pregnant women. In this article, the screening options and therapies used to prevent congenital toxoplasmosis are dissected in the light of recent data from cohort studies and other epidemiological data.