Toxoplasmosis and listeriosis are two words that are well known to pregnant women, and they are synonymous with increased dietary attention. What exactly does this prevention refer to?
TOXOPLASMOSIS
Toxoplasmosis is an often asymptomatic and benign disease.
However, during pregnancy, congenital toxoplasmosis, transmitted via the placenta from the mother to the child, can become more serious, as it can lead to malformations and nervous (mental and psychomotor retardation) and ocular disorders in the foetus, as well as to premature delivery.
The earlier in pregnancy that toxoplasmosis is contracted, the more serious the consequences for the baby. The later the infection, the greater the risk of transmission, but the less serious the consequences.
As it is often asymptomatic, this disease is detected by monthly blood tests in non-immune pregnant women. If contamination occurs, treatment consists of antibiotics.
Transmitted by animals via the parasite Toxoplasma gondii, the "toxo" can also be present in soil and water that may have been contaminated by the faeces of infected animals.
Some prevention tips:
- Wash the plants (fruit and vegetables, as well as herbs)well to remove any traces of soil or animal waste. Soaking your fruit and vegetables in vinegar and water will optimise this step. Alternatively, cooking will destroy the parasite.
- Be sure to cook your meat thoroughly to kill any parasites that may be present. Toxoplasma gondii dies at 67°C and above.
- Avoid cold cuts, foie gras and smoked or marinated meats.
- Also beware: freezing is not always strong enough to destroy the parasite. It is better to avoid trying to use this method to eat tartar, carpaccio, pâté, rillettes, jellied products, for a few months.
- Microwave cooking is not recommended, as there is no certainty of parasite destruction.
- Consume milk products made from pasteurised milk; pasteurisation is a technological process that destroys pathogens through heat.
- When you are away from home (at a friend's house, in a restaurant, etc.), don't hesitate to ask how the food was cleaned and/or cooked, so that you can be sure of these safety instructions.
- Also clean your kitchen utensils, hands and work surface after cutting products susceptible to the pest.
- Do not cross work areas or utensils that have been in contact with unwashed or uncooked products with prepared (washed or cooked) products.
- Be careful of contact with your cat if you are fostering one, or when changing its litter box. While you are pregnant, why not wear gloves when you do this, or delegate it to someone else for those few months?
- Wash your hands well after contact with soil, river water or animals. You can also wear gloves when gardening.
LISTERIOSIS
Listeriosis is the disease caused by the presence of the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. It is found in soil, water, animals and their excrement, and in plants contaminated by them.
Transmission from the pregnant woman is through food, while transmission from mother to child is through the placenta or through the baby's genital tract.
Il n’y a pas de dépistage sanguin. Néanmoins, autant les symptômes chez la personne bien-portante peuvent être une fièvre, des maux de tête et des troubles digestifs, autant les signes d’apparition et les risques liés à une listériose chez la femme enceinte sont une fièvre isolée ou un léger syndrome grippal, mais aussi des avortements spontanés, des naissances prématurées…
Le traitement est réalisé par antibiotiques.
Some prevention tips:
- Cook meats (especially minced steaks well cooked through), fish and seafoodthoroughly. The bacteria are destroyed above 65-70°C.
- Clean fruit, vegetables and herbs thoroughly.
- Choose pasteurised milk. Raw milk and raw or soft cheeses should be avoided. In addition, the rind should be removed from cheeses.
- Avoid eating raw germinated seeds (because they germinate in moisture and heat, which is conducive to bacterial development): soya, lentils, mung beans, chickpeas, fenugreek, rice, etc.
- Refrigeration does not stop multiplication and contamination, nor does freezing.
- Clean your hands well before and after handling food.
- Clean kitchen utensils, work surfaces and refrigerator thoroughly.
- Do not mix "clean" products (cooked or washed) with "dirty" products (raw or not yet cleaned). The same applies to utensils, work surfaces and hands; a "clean" product may still be contaminated with the bacteria after washing or cooking.
- Avoid foie gras, pâtés or rillettes and other cold cuts, jellied products, smoked or marinated fish or meat, raw shellfish, sushi and tarama.
- Consume refrigerated leftovers within 3 days of preparation.
Ces recommandations peuvent paraître quelque peu complexes à appliquer, de prime abord, pendant tout un cycle de grossesse.
Cependant, les astuces de remplacement s’apprennent, les réflexes s’acquièrent assez rapidement et la motivation est élevée : bébé va se former en toute quiétude et, surtout, va bientôt montrer le bout de son nez ! Ce jour là, vous vous direz sans doute : « Cette grossesse est passée vite, finalement »… et les « privations » alimentaires n’auront paru pas si difficiles à intégrer et éphémères par rapport à toutes les belles choses à venir !
Flore Delatouche
Diététicienne-nutritionniste
Aix-en-Provence
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