Prevention of Toxoplasmosis during Pregnancy
Dietary Preventive Measures
- The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that pregnant women cook meat to an internal temperature of at least 63°C for whole cuts (excluding poultry), 71°C for ground meat (excluding poultry), and 74°C for all poultry (using a food thermometer) 1, 2
- Freezing meat at -20°C for at least 48 hours can kill T. gondii tissue cysts 1
- Smoked, salted, or dried meats can remain infectious and should be avoided 2
- Pregnant women should avoid consuming unpasteurized goat's milk 1
- Raw oysters, clams, or mussels should be avoided 1
- Fruits and vegetables should be washed carefully before consumption 4, 5
Preventive Measures Concerning Cats
- Pregnant women should avoid contact with potentially contaminated cat litter or soil, and wear gloves when handling cat litter 1, 6
- If cat litter must be changed, pregnant women should wear disposable gloves and wash their hands thoroughly afterward 1, 4
- Cat litter should be changed daily, as T. gondii becomes infectious only after 1 to 5 days in cat feces 1, 6
- Cats should be kept indoors and stray cats should be avoided during pregnancy 1, 6
- Cats should be fed commercial canned or dry food, and not raw or undercooked meat 1, 4
- It is not necessary to separate from your cat or have it tested for toxoplasmosis 6, 7
Environmental Preventive Measures
- Pregnant women should wear gloves when gardening and wash their hands thoroughly after any contact with soil 1
- Untreated water, including well water or water potentially contaminated with cat feces, should be avoided 1, 6
- Pregnant women should avoid skinning or handling animals without gloves 1
Screening and Follow-up
- Pregnant women should be tested for IgG anti-Toxoplasma antibodies at the time of pregnancy diagnosis to detect latent infection 4, 8
- Selective screening based solely on self-reported risk factors may miss more than 50% of women who give birth to children with congenital toxoplasmosis 3, 9
- Pregnant women showing signs of primary or active toxoplasma infection should be evaluated in consultation with appropriate specialists 8, 10
- Newborns of mothers with serological evidence of toxoplasmosis should be evaluated for congenital toxoplasmosis 8, 10