Toxoplasmosis, an Old Zoonosis with New Insights

Toxoplasmosis, an old zoonosis with new insights

Toxoplasmosis is caused by the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii. Humans can be infected by ingestion of tissue cysts in unfrozen and undercooked meat or by ingestion of oocysts from consuming unwashed vegetables or fruit, from contact with soil, cleaning the litter box and from drinking untreated water. In The Netherlands the overall seroprevalence for the Dutch human population has decreased from 40.5% in 1996 to 26.5% in 2006. The incidence of congenital toxoplasmosis in 2006 was estimated at 2 per 1,000 live-born children. This is higher than assumed from previous studies and in the same order of magnitude than the highest countries in Europe and based on this estimate the disease burden of congenital toxoplasmosis alone makes T. gondii one of the most important foodborne pathogens. Including the disease burden of ocular toxoplasmosis from acquired infection is adding substantially to the total burden from T. gondii infection. Nevertheless, screening for infection during pregnancy is not implemented in the Netherlands because prevention of infection is considered more cost-effective. […]