Copyright (c) 2025 Jeimy Natalia Moreno Cardenas , Heidy Lorena Hernandez Cuaspud, Paola Veronica Lasso Apráez, Claudia Andrea Cruz Baquero , Sharon Hassbleidy Ochoa Ramirez
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Prevalence of Congenital Toxoplasmosis in Colombia: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Introduction. Congenital toxoplasmosis is a preventable parasitic infection associated with severe neurological, ocular, and systemic damage in the fetus. In Colombia, a tropical country with marked social vulnerability, this zoonosis remains a significant threat to maternal and child health. Objective. To estimate the prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection among pregnant women in Colombia through a systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods. A systematic review was conducted of 16 studies published between 2005 and 2022. Data on IgG and IgM seroprevalence in pregnant women and IgG seroprevalence in newborns were extracted. Pooled prevalence estimates and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using meta-analytic methods. Results. The pooled IgG seroprevalence was 38% (95% CI: 20%–57%) in pregnant women and 39% (IC 95%: 10% – 74%) in newborns, indicating substantial maternal exposure and a real risk of vertical transmission. IgM antibodies were detected in 16% (IC 95%: 7% – 27%) of pregnant women, suggesting recent—often asymptomatic—infections with potential for severe congenital sequelae. The available studies were few, geographically limited, and methodologically heterogeneous, resulting in wide confidence intervals and considerable variability across findings. Conclusions. This analysis highlights a hidden burden of congenital toxoplasmosis in Colombia and underscores structural gaps in national public health strategies. Universal prenatal screening, enhanced health education for women of reproductive age, and wider access to sensitive and specific diagnostic tools are urgently needed. Furthermore, robust multicenter and longitudinal epidemiological studies are essential to better characterize the true magnitude of this infection in the country.
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