The prevention of congenital toxoplasmosis using a combination of Spiramycin and Cotrimoxazole: The long-time experience of a tertiary referral centre.
Trop Med Int Health
; 29(8): 697-705, 2024 Aug.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38842439
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic infection caused by Toxoplasma gondii and is responsible for gestational and congenital infections worldwide. The current standard therapy is based on the administration of Spiramycin to prevent trans-placental transmission. Other therapies are being studied to reduce the rates of foetal transmission and symptomatic congenital infection.OBJECTIVES:
We report our long-standing experience in maternal toxoplasmosis infection treatment using a combination of Spiramycin-Cotrimoxazole, assessing its effectiveness in preventing vertical transmission compared to the expected incidence of congenital infection.METHODS:
We retrospectively collected cases of pregnant women referred to our centre for suspected toxoplasmosis infection according to Lebech criteria, treated with Spiramycin-Cotrimoxazole.RESULTS:
Of 1364 women referred to our centre, postnatal follow-up of primary toxoplasmosis was available in 562 cases (73.9%). The overall vertical transmission rate was 3.4% in women treated immediately with Spiramycin-Cotrimoxazole after the diagnosis of infection. In comparison, it was 7.7% in women undergoing the same therapy but late or with poor compliance. The foetal transmission rate was 71.4% in untreated cases. All the infected newborns of mother treated adequately with Spiramycin-Cotrimoxazole were asymptomatic afterbirth, while 6/21 infected infants of the inadequate Spiramycin-Cotrimoxazole therapy group had postnatal sequelae (28.5%). The incidence of transmission after appropriate Spiramycin-Cotrimoxazole therapy was significantly lower than the expected rate reported in literature.CONCLUSIONS:
A combination of Spiramycin and Cotrimoxazole is safe and effective in preventing foetal congenital toxoplasmosis and reducing sequelae in case of in-utero infection. The timing and adherence to the therapy are crucial to lowering the risk of congenital infection and neonatal morbidity.Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Espiramicina
/
Combinação Trimetoprima e Sulfametoxazol
/
Toxoplasmose Congênita
/
Complicações Parasitárias na Gravidez
/
Transmissão Vertical de Doenças Infecciosas
/
Centros de Atenção Terciária
Limite:
Adult
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Newborn
/
Pregnancy
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2024
Tipo de documento:
Article