develop antibodies to the organism and there is no risk that the infection can be passed to the foetus during pregnancy. However, it is estimated that 1 in 500 women in the UK contract toxoplasmosis in pregnancy, with only 30 to 40 per cent of those passing the infection to the unborn baby. The risk varies depending on what stage of pregnancy the woman had reached when the infection was acquired.

Sources of infection

In most cases, people become infected via one of two routes:

• • ingestion of oocysts (part of the life cycle of the parasite) from the environment, either directly through contact with contaminated soil or indirectly by eating contaminated vegetables or fruit
• • ingestion of fresh meat containing tissue cysts

Cats have had a pretty bad press regarding this issue but recent research indicates that contact with cats does not increase the risk of T gondii infection in people. According to the studies it is rare to identify cats shedding oocysts in their faeces.

Precautions It certainly isn't worth taking any risks, however, so a few precautions should be taken:

• • Avoid cleaning out litter trays during pregnancy.
• • Avoid gardening or handling of soil.
• • Only eat meat that has been cooked thoroughly.
• • Wash hands, cooking utensils and work surfaces after preparing raw meat.
• • Wash all fruit and vegetables thoroughly before eating.