Update on toxoplasmosis in poultry farming

Abstract

Toxoplasmosis is a worldwide occurring zoonosis caused by the obligate intracellular parasite Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii). All warm-blooded species, including humans, serve as intermediate hosts. Definitive hosts are exclusively cats. Farm poultry can become infected with oocysts from contaminated feed or directly from the ground, or by pecking of e.g. infected rodents. Outdoor or free-range housing of poultry increases the risk of infection with length of time. Poulty meat must be seen as a potential source of infection for humans with the increasing popularity of humane animal husbandry practices in poultry farming. This short literature review attempts to assess the current epidemiological situation in farmed poultry and to assess the possible relevance of toxoplasmosis of poultry meat and poultry meat products for human consumption.