title: Toxoplasmosis and pregnancy.
abstract: 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.
authors.forename: Shahnaz Akhtar
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Chaudhry
authors.forename: Nanette
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Gad
authors.forename: Gideon
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Koren
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D018445:Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical; D008403:Mass Screening; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011739:Pyrimethamine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015572:Spiramycin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013411:Sulfadiazine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014123:Toxoplasmosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000635:transmission*; D014125:Toxoplasmosis, Congenital / Q000150:complications / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents; D013411:Sulfadiazine; D015572:Spiramycin; D011739:Pyrimethamine
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