Toxoplasmosis and Pregnancy: How to Protect Yourself and Your Baby

During pregnancy, it's important to take care of your health and your baby's wellbeing. As a cat owner, this comes with a particular challenge: the risk of infection with Toxoplasma gondii.
But what exactly is toxoplasmosis? And what do you need to watch out for to avoid becoming infected?

In this article, we'll explain how you can protect yourself and your baby without having to give up the company of your beloved four-legged friend.

What Is Toxoplasmosis?

Toxoplasma gondii is a parasite from the protozoa family. Cats and other felids are the definitive host of toxoplasma, as the small parasites reproduce best in the intestines of our beloved four-legged friends. Inside our cat's digestive tract, the parasite develops into a form known as an oocyst. These oocysts are shed in large numbers in cat feces and then mature further outside the cat's body. After a few days, the oocysts develop into infectious sporozoites, which can then infect humans (the intermediate host).

Toxoplasmosis Infection in Humans

In humans, the parasites survive in cysts that occur in the brain, eyes, and muscles. These can persist for many years, keeping the infection in an inactive phase. In Germany, around 50% of the population has been exposed. The Robert Koch Institute estimates that more than 70% of people over 70 have already had the disease without noticing, since in healthy people it's symptom-free in 95% of cases. Only 5% of those affected feel somewhat weak, have a mild fever, and experience muscle and joint pain for several weeks.
Once you've had the infection, you develop lifelong immunity.

Toxoplasmosis During Pregnancy

If a first-time toxoplasmosis infection occurs during pregnancy, the parasite can be transmitted to the baby via the placenta. The earlier the infection occurs during pregnancy, the lower the risk of transmission to the baby, but unfortunately the risk of fetal damage is higher if transmission does occur. In the worst case, it can even lead to a miscarriage, especially with an infection in the first trimester. In most cases, this condition is asymptomatic in the newborn. A rare symptomatic course presents with an enlarged liver, a fluid-filled abdomen, and prolonged jaundice in the newborn.

Preventing Toxoplasmosis During Pregnancy: Better Safe Than Sorry!

Even though congenital toxoplasmosis is now very rare in Germany, cat owners should pay particular attention to the following points during pregnancy:

1. Feed your cat dry and/or canned food.

Toxoplasmosis cysts can also be found in other intermediate hosts (cattle, birds, etc.). If your cat eats raw, uninspected meat, it can become infected with the parasite and then shed it.

2. Handle cat feces with care

If possible, have a non-pregnant person clean your cat's (or cats') litter box. The RKI (Robert Koch Institute) especially recommends cleaning litter boxes with hot water every day for cats that roam freely outdoors.

If you don't have anyone to help you with this, make sure to wear suitable protective gear: disposable gloves, an FFP2 mask, and safety goggles.

3. Wash your hands!

We all know how important handwashing is, but it's absolutely essential when it comes to fighting the toxoplasmosis parasite!

Before eating, after coming home, after cleaning the litter box, after petting your cat, and so on.

4. Additional precautions: Avoid raw or insufficiently cooked meat, and wash raw vegetables and fruit thoroughly.

Even though contact with cats carries a certain risk of toxoplasmosis infection, as you can see, you can significantly reduce this risk with simple precautions. So nothing stands in the way of cuddling your furry friend during pregnancy!