Pregnant women in Kumasi who come into contact with cats are nearly twice as likely to contract toxoplasmosis—a potentially dangerous infection that poses serious risks to unborn babies—according to a new study conducted at a district-level hospital.
The research, led by Dr. Bhavana Singh from the Department of Clinical Microbiology at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), found that both exposure to cats and lower levels of education were significant risk factors for infection with Toxoplasma gondii, the parasite responsible for the disease.
Involving 400 women in their first trimester, the study revealed that more than half tested positive for toxoplasmosis using the highly sensitive Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) method. In contrast, Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs)—commonly used in some health facilities—missed more than 50% of these cases, raising concerns about the reliability of existing prenatal screening practices.
Toxoplasmosis is usually harmless in healthy adults, but during pregnancy it can cause serious complications such as miscarriage, stillbirth, and birth defects. It is typically transmitted through infected cat faeces, contaminated soil, or undercooked meat.
“Pregnant women, especially those who handled cats or had limited education, deserved better protection through accurate testing and clear health education,” Dr. Singh emphasized.
The researchers are calling for improved diagnostic tools in prenatal care and stronger public health education campaigns. Recommended prevention measures include thorough handwashing, proper cooking of meat, and avoiding contact with cat litter.
The findings, published in the journal Infectious Diseases in Obstetrics and Gynecology, were the result of a collaboration between KNUST’s Department of Clinical Microbiology, the University Hospital, and the Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine.
