Human toxoplasmosis in Mozambique: gaps in knowledge and research opportunities
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(2020) 13:571 Manuel et al. Parasites Vectors https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-020-04441-3
Open Access
REVIEW
Human toxoplasmosis in Mozambique: gaps in knowledge and research opportunities Leonardo Manuel1, Gabriela Santos‑Gomes2 and Emilia V. Noormahomed3,4,5*
Abstract Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic zoonotic disease caused by Toxoplasma gondii that afflicts humans worldwide and wild and domestic warm-blooded animals. In immunocompetent individuals, the acute phase of infection presents tran‑ sient low or mild symptoms that remain unnoticed. In immunocompromised patients, T. gondii is a life-threatening opportunistic infection, which can result from the reactivation of latent infection or primary infection. Moreover, con‑ genital toxoplasmosis, which results from the transplacental passage of tachyzoites into the fetus during a pregnant primary infection, can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, or ocular and neurologic disease, and neurocognitive deficits in the newborns. Thus, the present review aims to address the current knowledge of T. gondii infection and toxoplasmo‑ sis in Africa and especially in Mozambique, stressing the importance of identifying risk factors and promote awareness among the health care providers and population, assessing the gaps in knowledge and define research priorities. In Mozambique, and in general in southern African countries, clinical disease and epidemiological data have not yet been entirely addressed in addition to the implications of T. gondii infection in immunocompetent individuals, in pregnant women, and its relation with neuropsychiatric disorders. The main gaps in knowledge in Mozambique include lack of awareness of the disease, lack of diagnostic methods in health facilities, lack of genetic data, and lack of control strategies. Keywords: Toxoplasma gondii infection, HIV-infected patients, Congenital toxoplasmosis, Ocular toxoplasmosis, Mental disorders, South east African countries, Mozambique Background Toxoplasmosis is a zoonotic disease caused by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii, a cosmopolitan intracellular protozoan. This parasite can infect a wide range of warmblooded animals, including humans who act as intermediate hosts, supporting the asexual phase of the T. gondii life-cycle. Cats and wild felines have been considered definitive hosts since the sexual reproductive phase of the T. gondii life-cycle is restricted to these animals. People may become infected through the ingestion of raw or undercooked meat containing cyst, or by food and water contaminated with highly resistant and easily dispersed *Correspondence: [email protected] 3 Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universidade Eduardo Mondlane (UEM), Maputo, Mozambique Full list of author information is available at the end of the article
T. gondii oocysts from feline feces [1–3]. It seems that one to ten sporulated oocyst is enough to cause infection, giving rise to the asexual phase of the T. gondii lifecycle [4, 5]. Infection also can be acquired by cysts after organ transplantation and
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