RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Toxoplasmosis and pregnancy
JF Canadian Family Physician
JO Can Fam Physician
FD The College of Family Physicians of Canada
SP 334
OP 336
VO 60
IS 4
A1 Shahnaz Akhtar Chaudhry
A1 Nanette Gad
A1 Gideon Koren
YR 2014
UL http://www.cfp.ca/content/60/4/334.abstract
AB Question Congenital toxoplasmosis is a dangerous fetal infection. Why is routine screening for Toxoplasma gondii infection during pregnancy not available for most Canadians?Answer Low prevalence of the infection, high cost associated with testing, low sensitivity of screening tests, false-positive test results, and limitations of treatment effectiveness are all cited as reasons for not routinely screening for T gondii infection in Canada. Currently, screening for the detection of T gondii is only performed in Nunavik and other parts of northern Quebec owing to the high prevalence of infection in this region. Congenital toxoplasmosis causes neurologic or ocular disease (leading to blindness), as well as cardiac and cerebral anomalies.