Abstract
BackgroundThe purpose of this study was to confirm that women with latent toxoplasmosis have developmentally younger fetuses at estimated pregnancy week 16 and to test four exclusive hypotheses that could explain the observed data.MethodsIn the present retrospective cohort study we analysed by the GLM (general linear model) method data from 730 Toxoplasma-free and 185 Toxoplasma-infected pregnant women.ResultsAt pregnancy week 16 estimated from the date of the last menstruation, the mothers with latent toxoplasmosis had developmentally younger fetuses based on ultrasound scan (P = 0.014). Pregnancy of Toxoplasma-positive compared to Toxoplasma-negative women was by about 1.3 days longer, as estimated both from the date of the last menstruation (P = 0.015) and by ultrasonography (P = 0.025).ConclusionThe most parsimonious explanation for the observed data is retarded fetal growth during the first weeks of pregnancy in Toxoplasma-positive women. The phenomenon was only detectable in multiparous women, suggesting that the immune system may play some role in it.
Highlights
The purpose of this study was to confirm that women with latent toxoplasmosis have developmentally younger fetuses at estimated pregnancy week 16 and to test four exclusive hypotheses that could explain the observed data
The influence of toxoplasmosis on pregnancy length at pregnancy week 16 estimated based on the first ultrasonography was evaluated by the GLM method
The influence of toxoplasmosis on pregnancy length at pregnancy week 16 estimated based on the first ultrasonography was evaluated by the GLM in the set of 915 mothers
Summary
The purpose of this study was to confirm that women with latent toxoplasmosis have developmentally younger fetuses at estimated pregnancy week 16 and to test four exclusive hypotheses that could explain the observed data. The acute disease promoted by rapidly dividing tachyzoites usually spontaneously proceeds to the latent toxoplasmosis. During latent toxoplasmosis the parasite survives in the form of slowly dividing bradyzoites in tissue cysts, usually providing immunity against reinfection for the rest of the host life. Latent toxoplasmosis is generally considered to be asymptomatic from the clinical point of view; it is accompanied by specific changes in personality profiles of the infected subjects [3]. 20% of infants born with congenital infection have severe disease. Another about 70% are asymptomatic at birth but can develop clinical signs in the later years, i.e. slower neurological and mental development and late chorioretinitis [5]
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