Epidemiological study of toxoplasmosis outbreaks in Brazil

Abstract

In Brazil, notification of toxoplasmosis outbreaks and epidemiological investigation is a mandatory activity of health surveillance. We investigated the risk factors for toxoplasmosis during outbreaks, notifications of outbreaks by the health secretary and reports in the literature. Other factors related to the municipalities were determined through the Institute of Geography and Statistics portal. We found that fruits and vegetables were the most described transmission routes in outbreaks, and oocysts were the most common parasitic form; in recent years; there has been an increase in outbreak notifications. We also found that municipalities with high municipal human development index have a higher number of toxoplasmosis infections during outbreaks. There is a need to raise awareness among the population and producers regarding good water management and quality practices and to facilitate the acquisition of complex data to improve preventive strategies.

Toxoplasmosis Behind Bars: One Health Approach on Serosurvey Dynamics and Associated Risk Factors for Women Inmates, Correctional Officers, and In-Prison Feral Cats

“…Unwashed fruits and vegetables and untreated water may also be important routes of T. gondii transmission to women [12]. Although water and foodborne (unwashed fruits and vegetables) transmission have been reportedly among the most frequent routes of toxoplasmosis outbreaks in Brazil [36,37], food distributed herein came from industrial kitchens commercially contracted outside the penitentiary (under tight inspection and food handling practices), as the in-prison kitchen was closed at the beginning of COVID-19 pandemics. Thus, unless contamination occurred during in-prison storage and handling, food and water consumed by inmates herein may be unlikely sources of infection during the survey.…”

Quinolone: a versatile therapeutic compound class

“…These findings suggest that carbonate ester prodrugs could be a useful strategy to overcome the poor pharmacokinetic properties of ELQs for the treatment of toxoplasmosis [ 33 ]. Toxoplasmosis is a common parasitic infection affecting humans in developed countries, and it is a fatal infection to developing foetus and people with compromised immune systems [ 38 , 39 ]. Its prevalence varies between 20% and 80%, and is influenced by age, cultural practices, and environmental factors [ 40 ].…”

Advances and Challenges in Diagnostics of Toxoplasmosis in HIV-Infected Patients

“…Therefore, chicken meat appears to be a significant source of infection for both cats and humans. Balbino et al [ 8 ] suggested that fruits and vegetables contaminated with oocysts were the most described transmission routes in outbreaks of toxoplasmosis in Brazil. It seems that contact with cats can no longer be considered a significant risk factor for Toxoplasma gondii infection in urban areas [ 9 ].…”