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European Journal of Medical Research
Published in: European Journal of Medical Research 1/2021

Open Access 01-12-2021 | Toxoplasmosis | Review

A fresh look at the role of spiramycin in preventing a neglected disease: meta-analyses of observational studies

Authors: Jose G. Montoya, Katherine Laessig, Mir Sohail Fazeli, Gaye Siliman, Sophie S. Yoon, Elizabeth Drake-Shanahan, Chengyue Zhu, Akbar Akbary, Rima McLeod

Published in: European Journal of Medical Research | Issue 1/2021

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Abstract

Purpose

We aimed to investigate the effect of antepartum treatment with spiramycin with or without subsequent pyrimethamine–sulfonamide–folinic acid, compared to no treatment, on the rate of mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) and incidence/severity of sequelae in the offspring.

Methods

Embase and PubMed were searched for literature on spiramycin in pregnant women suspected/diagnosed with T. gondii infection. Meta-analyses were performed using random-effects model.

Results

Thirty-three studies (32 cohorts and 1 cross-sectional study), with a total of 15,406 mothers and 15,250 offspring, were pooled for analyses. The MTCT rate for all treated patients was significantly lower than the untreated [19.5% (95% CI 14–25.5%) versus 50.7% (95% CI 31.2–70%), p < 0.001]. The transmission rate in patients on spiramycin monotherapy was also significantly lower than untreated [17.6% (95% CI 9.9–26.8%) versus 50.7% (95% CI 31.2–70%), p < 0.001].

Conclusion

Results indicate significant reduction in MTCT rates following spiramycin treatment of suspected/diagnosed maternal T. gondii infection.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
A fresh look at the role of spiramycin in preventing a neglected disease: meta-analyses of observational studies
Authors
Jose G. Montoya
Katherine Laessig
Mir Sohail Fazeli
Gaye Siliman
Sophie S. Yoon
Elizabeth Drake-Shanahan
Chengyue Zhu
Akbar Akbary
Rima McLeod
Publication date
01-12-2021
Publisher
BioMed Central
Keyword
Toxoplasmosis
Published in
European Journal of Medical Research / Issue 1/2021
Electronic ISSN: 2047-783X
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s40001-021-00606-7

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