[Toxoplasmosis investigation of pregnant women and newborn infants (author's transl)]. 1975

O Thalhammer

In the serological screening of pregnant women for the prevention of congenital toxoplasmosis a positive test with low titre in the first trimester indicates almost with certainty a preconceptional infection. The probability that such a result derives from a very recent maternal infection leading to fetal infection is about 5 in 39,000. In view of the very high extra expenses involved and the unnecessary anxiety induced in many thousands of pregnant women and the sparse results the serological control of women showing positive tests with low or medium titre in the first trimester is not recommendable. There is no indication that preconceptional toxoplasma infection, especially the countless infections of longer standing with low titres, damage the fetus or lead to habitual abortion. Practically only H. Werner and his Berlin group, succeeded in isolating toxoplasma from abortion material of women not primarily infected during pregnancy but then in 20% of cases and in serologically-negative women also. The late importation of such opinions to Austria is deeply regrettable and should not be allowed to induce uncertainty in physicians and anxiety in our women. Accurate studies in very large numbers of preconceptionally-infected women did not reveal a single case of prenatal damage or congenital infection. Hence, the serological control of newborn infants of preconceptionally-infected women is not indicated. High titres (SF) detected during the first trimester indicate only a very low probability of damage to the fetus. Desmonts and Couvreur found not one infected infant amongst the offspring of 191 women with high titres at the beginning of pregnancy.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007231 Infant, Newborn An infant during the first 28 days after birth. Neonate,Newborns,Infants, Newborn,Neonates,Newborn,Newborn Infant,Newborn Infants
D007232 Infant, Newborn, Diseases Diseases of newborn infants present at birth (congenital) or developing within the first month of birth. It does not include hereditary diseases not manifesting at birth or within the first 30 days of life nor does it include inborn errors of metabolism. Both HEREDITARY DISEASES and METABOLISM, INBORN ERRORS are available as general concepts. Neonatal Diseases,Disease, Neonatal,Diseases, Neonatal,Neonatal Disease
D011247 Pregnancy The status during which female mammals carry their developing young (EMBRYOS or FETUSES) in utero before birth, beginning from FERTILIZATION to BIRTH. Gestation,Pregnancies
D011251 Pregnancy Complications, Infectious The co-occurrence of pregnancy and an INFECTION. The infection may precede or follow FERTILIZATION. Complications, Infectious Pregnancy,Infectious Pregnancy Complications,Maternal Sepsis,Pregnancy, Infectious Complications,Sepsis during Pregnancy,Sepsis in Pregnancy,Infectious Pregnancy Complication,Pregnancy Complication, Infectious,Sepsis in Pregnancies,Sepsis, Maternal
D005260 Female Females
D005455 Fluorescent Antibody Technique Test for tissue antigen using either a direct method, by conjugation of antibody with fluorescent dye (FLUORESCENT ANTIBODY TECHNIQUE, DIRECT) or an indirect method, by formation of antigen-antibody complex which is then labeled with fluorescein-conjugated anti-immunoglobulin antibody (FLUORESCENT ANTIBODY TECHNIQUE, INDIRECT). The tissue is then examined by fluorescence microscopy. Antinuclear Antibody Test, Fluorescent,Coon's Technique,Fluorescent Antinuclear Antibody Test,Fluorescent Protein Tracing,Immunofluorescence Technique,Coon's Technic,Fluorescent Antibody Technic,Immunofluorescence,Immunofluorescence Technic,Antibody Technic, Fluorescent,Antibody Technics, Fluorescent,Antibody Technique, Fluorescent,Antibody Techniques, Fluorescent,Coon Technic,Coon Technique,Coons Technic,Coons Technique,Fluorescent Antibody Technics,Fluorescent Antibody Techniques,Fluorescent Protein Tracings,Immunofluorescence Technics,Immunofluorescence Techniques,Protein Tracing, Fluorescent,Protein Tracings, Fluorescent,Technic, Coon's,Technic, Fluorescent Antibody,Technic, Immunofluorescence,Technics, Fluorescent Antibody,Technics, Immunofluorescence,Technique, Coon's,Technique, Fluorescent Antibody,Technique, Immunofluorescence,Techniques, Fluorescent Antibody,Techniques, Immunofluorescence,Tracing, Fluorescent Protein,Tracings, Fluorescent Protein
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D012882 Skin Tests Epicutaneous or intradermal application of a sensitizer for demonstration of either delayed or immediate hypersensitivity. Used in diagnosis of hypersensitivity or as a test for cellular immunity. Skin Test,Test, Skin,Tests, Skin
D014123 Toxoplasmosis The acquired form of infection by Toxoplasma gondii in animals and man. Toxoplasma gondii Infection,Infection, Toxoplasma gondii

Related Publications

O Thalhammer
February 1981, Wiener klinische Wochenschrift,
O Thalhammer
March 1987, Zhonghua fu chan ke za zhi,
O Thalhammer
January 2004, Meditsinskaia parazitologiia i parazitarnye bolezni,
O Thalhammer
December 1974, Ceskoslovenska gynekologie,
O Thalhammer
January 1979, Zentralblatt fur Gynakologie,
O Thalhammer
May 1966, Annales de pediatrie,
O Thalhammer
February 1975, British medical journal,
Copied contents to your clipboard!