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- Q fever in Portugal: a one health-oriented literature reviewPublication . Caldeira, Maria João; Pereira, Tifany; Qiuntas, Hélder; Mesquita, João R; Rodrigues, CarinaQ fever is a zoonosis caused by Coxiella burnetii (C. burnetii), a highly infectious and environmentally persistent bacterium. Its transmission from animals to humans occurs mainly via inhalation of contaminated aerosols, often originating from small ruminants. Although the disease is widely distributed in Europe, its burden remains underestimated due to nonspecific clinical presentation and insufficient surveillance integration. As part of an ongoing PhD project in Biomedical Sciences, a comprehensive literature review was conducted to assess the current state of knowledge on Q fever in Portugal. This work aimed to synthesize available data from animal, human and environmental studies, while comparing findings with the broader European context. Over 40 national studies were analyzed, covering humans, domestic and wild animals, ticks, and environmental matrices. Reported seroprevalence values ranged widely: from 0% up to 45.9% in some livestock studies, with values often exceeding 30% in goats and sheep. In human studies with occupational exposure, positivity rates reached 30.7%. Molecular detection of C. burnetii was reported in milk, placentas, and reproductive tissues, and in urban tick populations. The analysis revealed major gaps in national surveillance. Notably, there are no published studies specifically targeting the northeastern region of Portugal, despite its relevance in small ruminant production, and furthermore, no study to date has simultaneously assessed humans, animals and environmental matrices in the same geographic context, a key limitation for understanding transmission dynamics and implementing the One Health approach. These findings underline the need for targeted and integrated research in underrepresented regions. The next stages of the doctoral project will involve the collection and analysis of new biological and environmental samples in northeastern region of Portugal, with the goal of mapping local C. burnetii circulation and proposing context-adapted surveillance strategies.
- Toxoplasma gondii in northeastern Portugal: a narrative review of a neglected zoonotic infection in a one health contextPublication . Pereira, Tifany; Quintas, Helder; Lopes, Ana Patrícia; Caldeira, Maria; Salvador, Sílvia Beato; Rodrigues, Carina; ;Toxoplasmosis is a zoonosis caused by Toxoplasma gondii, a protozoan parasite that infects warm-blooded animals, including humans1. Despite its global distribution and considerable impact on public health, animal production, and the environment, it remains overlooked, exemplifying a One Health issue2,3. Transmission occurs mainly through ingestion of infective stages: sporulated oocysts, via contaminated water, soil, or food, tissue cysts in undercooked meat, or tachyzoites, through transplacental transmission or unpasteurized dairy products1,4. Though often asymptomatic, toxoplasmosis can cause severe outcomes in immunocompromised individuals and during pregnancy. Small ruminants are particularly susceptible, with infection linked to reproductive losses and zoonotic transmission via meat5. In Portugal, T. gondii infection, and toxoplasmosis, remains underreported and poorly studied. The Northeastern region (Trás-os- Montes) is especially relevant due to the high density of small ruminant farming and close human, animal and environment interactions6. A narrative review of the literature on the epidemiological status of T. gondii infection in Northeast Portugal was carried out. Sources included PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and institutional reports (EFSA, ECDC, INE). The EFSA/ECDC/20237 report a 4.2% rise in congenital toxoplasmosis and a 29% positivity in small ruminants, the highest in five years. In Portugal, according to the only national survey (1979–1980)8, seroprevalence was 47%, with the North presenting the highest percentage (51%). Subsequent studies revealed regional fluctuations8–12 and more recently, a 72.8% value was reported amongst workers with occupational exposure13. In the Northeastern region (2004–2010)14–17, active circulation of T. gondii was demonstrated in various animal species including wild and livestock, particularly small ruminants, as well as in women of childbearing age. The detection of genotype II, associated with moderate virulence, in meat intended for consumption reinforces the zoonotic risk18. These findings highlight the urgent need for updated and integrated epidemiological studies, supported by a One Health approach.