Abstract
Background: Toxoplasma gondii is an apicomplexan parasite with zoonotic importance worldwide especially in pregnant women and immunocompromised people. This study is set to review the literature on T. gondii infections in humans and animals in southern Africa. Methods: We extracted data regarding T. gondii infections from published articles from southern Africa from 1955 to 2020 from four databases, namely Google Scholar, PubMed, EBSCO Host, and Science Direct. Forty articles from eight southern African countries were found eligible for the study. Results: This review revealed a paucity of information on T. gondii infection in southern African countries, with an overall prevalence of 17% (95% CI: 7–29%). Domestic felids had a prevalence of 29% (95% CI: 7–54%), wild felids 79% (95% CI: 60–94), canids (domestic and wild) 69% (95% CI: 38–96%), cattle 20% (95% CI: 5–39%), pigs 13% (95% CI: 1–29%), small ruminants (goats and sheep) 11% (95% CI: 0–31%), chicken and birds 22% (95% CI: 0–84%), and humans 14% (95% CI: 5–25%). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT) constituted the most frequently used diagnostic tests for T. gondii. Conclusions: We recommend more focused studies be conducted on the epidemiology of T. gondii in the environment, food animals and human population, most especially the at-risk populations.
Highlights
Introduction published maps and institutional affilToxoplasma gondii is an apicomplexan obligate parasite that infects animals and humans worldwide [1]
The overall pooled prevalence of T. gondii infection 29% in domestic felids observed in this study is lower than the pooled seroprevalence of 51% (20–81%)
The pooled prevalence of T. gondii infections observed in wild felids 79% in this study is higher than the pooled prevalence reported in Africa, Asia, Europe, and South America [10], while in north African countries, no data were available on wild felids [68]
Summary
Toxoplasma gondii is an apicomplexan obligate parasite that infects animals and humans worldwide [1]. Intermediate hosts, including humans, can acquire infection via (i) consumption of water, vegetables, and fruits contaminated with infective oocysts; (ii) consumption of raw or undercooked meat infected with tachyzoites or bradyzoites [4]; (iii) blood transfusion; (iv) organ transplant containing cysts or tachyzoites; and (v) congenital transmission from the mother to fetus via the placenta. This study is set to review the literature on T. gondii infections in humans and animals in southern Africa. Methods: We extracted data regarding T. gondii infections from published articles from southern Africa from 1955 to 2020 from four databases, namely Google Scholar, PubMed, EBSCO Host, and Science Direct. Results: This review revealed a paucity of information on T. gondii infection in southern African countries, with an overall prevalence of 17% (95% CI: 7–29%). Conclusions: We recommend more focused studies be conducted on the epidemiology of T. gondii in the environment and human population, most especially the at-risk populations
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