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Toxoplasma gondii in northeastern Portugal: a narrative review of a neglected zoonotic infection in a one health context
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Orientador(es)
Resumo(s)
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.
Descrição
Palavras-chave
Northeastern Portugal One Health Toxoplasma Zoonosis
Contexto Educativo
Citação
Pereira, Tifany; Rodrigues, Carina; Quintas, Hélder; Lopes, Ana Patrícia; Caldeira, Maria; Salvador, Sílvia Beato ( 2025). Toxoplasma gondii in northeastern Portugal: a narrative review of a neglected zoonotic infection in a one health contexto. In 1st International Conference of the Zoonoses Working Group. Vila Real