Toxoplasmosis: epidemiology and significance in animal health

Abstract

Toxoplasmosis is a disease caused by Toxoplasma gondii. This is an intracelular parasitic protozoa discovered in the beginning of this century. It infectis a variety of animals including humans. Primarily, it can be transmitted congenitally, by camivorism and fecal-oral means. Toxoplasmosis occurs all over the world. It is widely disseminated within animals of economic interest, such as swine, sheeps, cattle and goats, as well as carnivorous animals and rodents. All the above mentioned animals are potential source of infection to man. Although the prevalence of the disease is high, lhe morbidity and mortality are low. It becomes serious for pregnant females, neonates and immunocompromissed subjects. Control of toxoplasmosis requires precise knowledge of the source of infection which can be contaminated food, infected rodents and felines.