Preventing Soil-Transmitted Infections in Pregnant Women

Toxoplasmosis Risk and Prevention

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that pregnant women avoid direct contact with soil to prevent toxoplasmosis, as soil can be contaminated with Toxoplasma gondii, a parasite commonly found in cat feces that can persist in soil for extended periods 1
Pregnant women who acquire primary toxoplasmic infection can transmit the parasite to the fetus in utero, potentially causing congenital toxoplasmosis, which can lead to severe outcomes including neurological damage, vision problems, and developmental issues in the infant 2
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends wearing disposable gloves when gardening or during any contact with soil, thoroughly washing hands with soap and warm water after any soil contact, and avoiding gardening activities during pregnancy if possible to minimize risk of toxoplasmosis exposure from soil 1, 2

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns that Cryptosporidium can be transmitted through soil contact and cause severe gastrointestinal illness, which may be more serious in pregnant women, and recommends avoiding contact with young farm animals, particularly those with diarrhea, as they may carry Cryptosporidium and other pathogens 2, 3
Pregnant women should have someone else clean cat litter boxes daily, as Toxoplasma oocysts take 1-5 days to become infectious, and keep cats indoors and feed them commercial food rather than raw meat to reduce their risk of acquiring Toxoplasma 1
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends avoiding activities that create dust when working with surface soil in areas endemic for histoplasmosis 4

Women with HIV infection should be particularly cautious about soil exposure due to their increased risk of severe infection, and women planning pregnancy should also follow these precautions as some infections acquired shortly before conception can affect the fetus 1, 2, 3