Successful therapy for toxoplasmosis

New therapy for toxoplasmosis is effective

06/08/2012

Toxoplasmosis is still one of the most feared infectious diseases for pregnant women. If an expectant mother becomes infected, it can lead to permanent malformations and injuries in the child. However, according to a new study, the therapy used in Germany is very successful.

German therapy against toxoplasmosis particularly successful
According to one study, the therapy used in Germany for toxoplasmosis in pregnancy is very successful. Compared to other European countries, it is even more successful than many other treatments. This resulted in an investigation under the direction of Uwe Groß of the University Hospital Göttingen. The therapy is the more effective, the earlier it is started, as the article in the journal „Clinical Infectious Diseases ".

Toxoplasmosis is a parasitically transmitted infectious disease that is spread worldwide. The infection takes place, for example, by the consumption of insufficiently heated meat of infected animals or by the touch of an infected cat. Healthy people usually have no symptoms of toxoplasmosis. Only in very rare cases, symptoms such as mild fever, swelling of the lymph nodes in the neck, fatigue, and limb and headache. The course of the disease is usually inconspicuous, so that the infected person does not need to be treated. In contrast, toxoplasmosis can have serious consequences for fetuses. An untreated infection can cause permanent malformations and damage. Pregnant women may have a blood test that provides information about a possible infection with toxoplasmosis. If there is an infection, in Germany usually takes at least four weeks of therapy with drugs. In many European countries, there are other treatments that, according to the study, are sometimes less successful.

After therapy less than five percent of babies are infected with toxoplasmosis
The scientists led by Uwe Gross carried out their study on 685 pregnant women who had first infected with toxoplasmosis. They accompanied the women and children within a period of three years. As it turned out, the therapy used in Germany significantly reduces the risk of mother-to-child transmission of toxoplasmosis. „We have a rate of less than five percent compared to untreated pregnancies or other countries' regimens. "In all, 685 pregnant women had a prenatal Toxoplasma infection in only 33 cases, 11 of which were clinical Symptoms at birth or in the first year of life. „However, the studies also show that a follow-up program for the affected children would be desirable, "says Groß.

Picture: Christian v. R.