[Toxoplasmosis seroconversion in pregnant women. The differing attitudes in France].
BACKGROUND
Since 1992 France has been running a toxoplasmosis prevention program based on the serological detection of infections during pregnancy. In the absence of a consensus, the seroconversions discovered are managed in different ways, varying from one centre to another.


OBJECTIVE
To describe the habits of the specialised centres in France and propose means to reduce the heterogeneity.


METHODS
A survey using a questionnaire mailed to the centres of parasitology in France specialised in the management of toxoplasmosis seroconversion during pregnancy.


RESULTS
All the 30 centres surveyed replied. Five of them do not provide recommendations for treatment and were excluded from analysis. The attitudes of the 25 other centres varied greatly with regard to the indications for therapeutic abortion and amniocentesis, treatment protocols with pyrimethamine and sulfamides, as well as in the frequency of sonographical monitoring.


CONCLUSIONS
In the absence of National guidelines, the management of seroconversions discovered during the prenatal prevention of congenital toxoplasmosis program is left to the discretion of the specialised centre. This results in variations from one town to the next. This heterogeneity underlines the lack of knowledge on the most efficient and acceptable means of preventing and treating congenital toxoplasmosis. In order to improve this situation, the French parasitologists have launched a program of consensual meetings aimed at harmonising the treatment protocols and identifying the points that require further studies.
Binquet
Christine
C
Service de biostatistique et informatique médicale, CHU de Dijon. christine.binquet@u-bourgogne.fr
Wallon
Martine
M
Metral
Pierre
P
Gadreau
Maryse
M
Quantin
Catherine
C
Peyron
François
F
D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D005260:Female; D005602:France; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000276:immunology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy*; D011295:Prenatal Care; D014123:Toxoplasmosis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy*