Toxoplasma gondii is the causative agent of toxoplasmosis and is a parasitic protozoan that infects a wide range of humans and animals. Toxoplasmosis is considered as a disease common to humans and animals. On average, 30-60% of people are infected in various countries around the world and it is estimated that at most 5 cases out of every 1,000 pregnancies are infected with acute toxoplasmosis (1). Studies carried out in Iran have shown the prevalence of this infection in many parts of the country (2-5). The overall prevalence of anti-Toxoplasma antibody in Iranian pregnant women was 2.34% (5-7). It has also been reported that the incidence of congenital toxoplasmosis ranged from 0.8 per 1,000 to 3.5 per 1,000 births (8-11).
During pregnancy, human infections are mainly transmitted through the placenta from a mother to her fetus. Congenital toxoplasmosis, if occurs in the first trimester of pregnancy, leads to miscarriage and central and optic nervous system disorders. Therefore, applying accurate diagnostic methods is important in examining women with toxoplasmosis (6). The infection transmission rate from a mother to her fetus in the first, second, and third trimesters of pregnancy is 10 to 25%, 30 to 45%, and 60 to 65%, respectively (12). The clinical manifestations of toxoplasmosis are widespread and include fever, hydrocephalus, microcephaly, hepatosplenomegaly, jaundice, seizure, chorioretinitis (usually bilateral), intracerebral calcification, and mental retardation in the first half of pregnancy. Among the most prevalent cases, chorioretinitis and central nervous system lesions can be mentioned. These two may lead to debilitating symptoms at birth or later in life if left untreated. The incidence of this infection in the second half of pregnancy may be asymptomatic. As the fetus grows, while the likelihood of congenital transmission increases, the severity of the disease decreases (6-7). Maternal infection increases the rate of preterm delivery before 37 weeks of gestation by four times. The important point is that most infected fetuses are born when they indicate no obvious symptoms of toxoplasmosis on routine examinations (7-8).
The main diagnostic method is the use of serological tests, which are applied to detect different classes of specific Toxoplasma gondii antibodies, especially IgG-ELISA and IgM-ELISA (9).
Spiramycin is commonly prescribed to treat women with acute infection in early pregnancy. Pyrimethamine, sulfadiazine, and folinic acid are also prescribed in cases of maternal infection after 18 weeks of gestation or when there is a possibility of fetal infection (13-14). Congenital infection should be prevented by decreasing the chance of exposure to the infection during pregnancy. Taking measures, such as cleaning kitchen surfaces or appliances that are in contact with raw meat, poultry, seafood, or dirty vegetables and fruits, cooking meat at a safe temperature, washing and peeling the fruits carefully, wearing gloves, and not having a cat, is helpful during pregnancy (13).
Due to the complications of congenital toxoplasmosis, accurate diagnosis and treatment of women with toxoplasmosis are of great significance. The present study aimed to report a pregnant case with acute toxoplasmosis which, with timely diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up, did not lead to congenital toxoplasmosis.

 

A 32-year-old G₄P₂CS₁ pregnant woman with 2 previous cesarean sections who was under prenatal care was found positive for antibodies specific to toxoplasmosis (IgG and IgM) during routine pregnancy tests at 16 weeks of gestation. The patient underwent amniocentesis to examine the fetal infection, and positive toxoplasmosis was reported. After gynecological counseling at approximately 17 to 18 weeks of gestational age, medications, including 2 sulfadiazine pills administered every 8 hours, 1 pyrimethamine pill administered every 12 hours, and folinic acid administered every other day, were taken by the patient to treat toxoplasmosis. Ultrasound examinations also showed no specific problems, such as brain and liver lesions. At 29 weeks of gestation, 2 sulfadiazine pills were administered every 6 hours, 2 pyrimethamine pills were administered every 12 hours, and 1 folinic acid pill was administered daily.
Control ultrasounds for IUGR, brain and liver calcification and fetal growth were all normal. The mother also had no symptoms. The cesarean section was performed at 38 weeks of gestation and a 3550gr male infant was born. Placental pathology was done and no evidence of fetal hypoxia was reported. The infant was carefully examined after birth. His brain, liver, kidney, and other organs were normal. The neonatal eye examination was also performed for toxoplasmosis, which showed no complications until 2 months of age and the infant was examined and controlled for follow-up care.