Toxoplasma Screening Results of 84587 Pregnant Women in a Tertiary Referral Center in Turkey

Abstract

Aim: To determine the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma in a tertiary referral center in Turkey and to discuss the benefits and drawbacks of routine antenatal screening.Materials and methods: A serologic test for Toxoplasma is free of charge for all pregnant women as part of routine antenatal care at their first prenatal visit. The study was conducted between 2008 and 2017.Results: The frequency of Toxoplasma IgG and IgM seropositivity was 22.3% and 0.64%, respectively. Low avidity was detected in 142 patients and 60 PCR tests were performed with no positive result. A total of 33 mothers with low IgG avidity and negative PCR received prophylactic treatment, and no congenital toxoplasmosis was documented in this study.Conclusion: Universal screening for Toxoplasma in pregnancy is a subject of debate. As the prevalence in Turkey is higher compared to other countries, more studies are needed to identify the necessity of routine screening.