Screening for Toxoplasmosis in Pregnant Women in an Effort to Prevent Congenital Toxoplasmosis

Abstract

This literature review aims to describe toxoplasmosis screening in pregnant women and its relevance in preventing congenital toxoplasmosis. Toxoplasmosis in pregnancy is a serious global health problem, as it can be transmitted transplacentally and cause congenital toxoplasmosis. This condition can cause miscarriage, neurological damage, ocular disorders, and even fetal death, with an estimated 190,100 cases per year. As the disease is usually asymptomatic, toxoplasmosis screening in pregnancy is essential to prevent congenital transmission. The screening strategies vary by country. The United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom do not recommend routine screening, while France, Italy, Austria, and Slovenia have implemented mandatory antenatal screening, and other European countries use a selective approach. In Indonesia, there has been no literature review specifically discussing toxoplasmosis screening during pregnancy. A literature search in English and Indonesian was conducted using PubMed-MEDLINE, Google Scholar, university databases, electronic journals, medical textbooks, and official websites of health organizations. Publications were limited to the last thirty years, focusing on toxoplasmosis screening in pregnancy. Toxoplasmosis screening programs for pregnant women are beneficial in preventing the transmission of Toxoplasma gondii infection from mother to fetus, but their effectiveness is greatly influenced by regional prevalence. In countries with low prevalence, routine screening is considered inefficient because it may cause anxiety in pregnant women and unnecessary medical intervention. Conversely, in regions with moderate to high prevalence, screening can provide added value, especially when combined with appropriate therapy and monitoring.