International Journal of Scientific and Research Publications, Volume 3, Issue 6, June 2013 1 ISSN 2250-3153 www.ijsrp.org Toxoplasmosis: A global infection, so widespread, so neglected Emmanuel Uttah * , Emmanuel Ogban * , and Christiana Okonofua** * Department of Biological Sciences, Cross River University of Technology, Calabar, Nigeria ** Department of Biological Sciences, Microbiology Unit, Crawford University, Igbesa, Ogun State, Nigeria Abstract- Toxoplasmosis is an epidemiological paradox. It is one of the most prevalent and most widespread parasitic infections, yet one of the most ignored of all human infections. Between 30% and 65% of all persons worldwide are infected with Toxoplasma gondii, the causative organism. It is a coccidian parasite that infects mostly species of warm-blooded animals including man. It is asymptomatic among immunocompetent persons but presents a spectrum of clinical manifestations among the immunocompromised. Approximately 10% of congenital toxoplasmosis results in abortion or neonatal death. Infection may be associated with other diseases such as HIV/AIDS in humans or immunosuppressive therapy in any species. Toxoplasma encephalitis reportedly develops in approximately 40% of individuals with AIDS, and is fatal in 10-30% of these cases. This paper discussed updates and research trends on the biology, epidemiology, transmission, diagnosis, treatment of toxoplasmosis and made recommendations. Index Terms- Toxoplasmosis, Cat faeces, Toxoplasma gondii, Neglected disease I. INTRODUCTION oxoplasmosis is a parasitic infection with a worldwide distribution. The causative organism, Toxoplasma gondii, is a coccidian parasite that infects mostly species of warm-blooded animals including man. It was first described in 1908 when found in the blood, spleen, and liver of a North Africa rodent Ctenodactylus gondii. The parasite was named Toxoplasma (arc- like form) gondii (after the rodent). About a third of the world's human population is estimated to carry Toxoplasma parasite (Ryan and Ray, 2004). It is one of the most prevalent chronic infections that man has had to contend with (Jones et al., 2007). Wild cats play significant role in the spread of toxoplasmosis because they are the only animals that excrete resistant oocysts into the environment. All other animals, including man, serve as intermediate hosts in which the parasite may cause systemic infection, typically resulting in the formation of tissue cysts. Cats generally acquirethe infection by feeding on infected animals, such as mice oruncooked household meat.During the first few weeks post-exposure, the infection typically causes a mild flu-like illness or no illness at all. Thereafter, the parasite rarely causes any symptoms in otherwise healthy adults. However, those with a weakened immune system, such as Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) patients or pregnant women, may become seriously ill, and occasionally may be fatal. The parasite can cause encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) and neurologic diseases, and can affect the heart, liver, inner ears, and eyes (chorioretinitis). II. CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS OF TOXOPLASMOSIS The infection presents with a wide range of clinical manifestations in man, land and sea mammals, and various bird species (Akyar, 2011). When symptoms develop, they are nonspecific andinclude malaise, fever, sore throat, and myalgia. Clinical manifestations of toxoplasmosis are caused by cell destruction due to multiplying tachyzoites, which most commonly affect the brain, liver, lungs, skeletal muscles and eyes. Oocyst-induced infection may be more severe than that induced by ingestion of tissue cysts. Signs may persist for one to twelve weeks but more severe disease is very rare in immunocompetent individuals (Tenter et al., 2000). Of clinical cases, quite few may develop ocular toxoplasmosis (retinitis), but this is more commonly associated with congenital infection (Perkins, 1990). Approximately 10% of congenital toxoplasmosis results in abortion or neonatal death. Clinical signs of congenital Toxoplasmosis is not apparent at first in most cases butinfection acquired after birth isusually asymptomatic. Intrauterine meningoencephalitis could lead to the development of the following: cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)abnormalities, hydrocephalus, microcephaly, chorioretinitis,seizures, and deafness. Some of the severely affected infants die in utero or within a few days of birth. (Foulon et al, 1988). Other signs include maculopapular rash, generalized lymphadenopathy, hepatomegaly,splenomegaly, jaundice, and thrombocytopenia. The clinical course usuallyis benign and self-limited. Myocarditis, pericarditis, and pneumonitisare rare complications.Infants with congenital infectionare asymptomatic at birth in 70% to 90% of cases, although visualimpairment, learning disabilities, or mental retardation willbecome apparent in a large proportion of children several monthsto years later. Infection may be associated with other diseases such as HIV/AIDS in humans or immunosuppressive therapy in any species (Akyar, 2011). Toxoplasma encephalitis reportedly develops in approximately 40% of individuals with AIDS, and is fatal in 10-30% of these cases (Patton, 1993). Among those chronically infected with AIDS, reactivatedinfection can result in encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), pneumonitis, and neurologic diseases, and can affect the heart, liver, and inner T