Toxoplasmosis in Mexico: Epidemiological Situation in Humans and Animals

Abstract

Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic disease widely distributed throughout the world, infecting a wide variety of animal species including humans. In Mexico, this parasite has been detected in different parts of the country, particularly in the tropical areas where the parasite can remain infective for long periods of time due to the environmental conditions (i.e. high temperature and humidity over the whole year). Several epidemiological studies have been conducted in both human and animal populations, but despite the wide distribution of the agent in the country, there is a significant lack of knowledge on the parasite transmission, treatment alternatives and control measures. The lack of feral cat populations and control measures in sites of meat production for human consumption are playing a role that has led to the wide spread of the disease in the country, particularly in tropical areas of Southeastern Mexico. For these reasons, this manuscript aims to review the published information on relevant epidemiological aspects of infection with T. gondii in humans and animals from Mexico.

Chinese 1 strain of Toxoplasma gondii excreted–secreted antigens negatively modulate Foxp3 via inhibition of the TGFßRII/Smad2/Smad3/Smad4 pathway

“…Toxoplasma gondii , an opportunistic parasite, results in a globally prevalent disease . In individuals with normal immune systems, it does not cause serious disease; however, in those with compromised immunity, it can cause toxoplasmic pneumonia and encephalitis . Normally, the maternal immune system is considered a state of immunological tolerance, which tolerates the semi‐allogeneic foetus without mounting an immunological rejection.…”

First molecular evidence of <i>Toxoplasma gondii</i> in opossums (<i>Didelphis virginiana</i>) from Yucatan, Mexico

“…This percentage may be due to environmental factors presents in the region, especially temperature and relative humidity, which allow the survival of the parasite in the environment (Rendón-Franco et al, 2014). Likewise, the population characteristics of the opossums used in our study directly affects the result (Hernández-Cortazar et al, 2015). Another element that may influence the high percentage of infection found, is that most of the positive individuals were captured at the same site (Table 1), so sampling from different sites could produce a different percentage of infection.…”

“…Toxoplasmosis is a zoonotic parasitic disease with a worldwide distribution that is produced by Toxoplasma gondii. This protozoan has the capacity to infect birds and mammals, including human beings (Hernández-Cortazar et al, 2015). Their definitive hosts are individuals of the family Felidae such as domestic (Felis catus) and wild cats, that expel oocysts in their feces with sporozoites, infective stage of the parasite (Dubey et al, 2009).…”

“…This is not the case with the wild transmission, in which the synanthropic opossums participate along with numerous species of wild rodents (Dubey et al, 2009). In Mexico, human and animal toxoplasmosis has been reported in different regions; however, its rates of prevalence and incidence are higher in tropical zones where, given the prevailing environmental conditions such as high temperature and humidity, T. gondii can remain infective for long periods of time (Hernández-Cortazar et al, 2015). Opossums of the species Didelphis virginiana are widely distributed on the Yucatan Peninsula.…”

Toxoplasmicidalin vitroeffect of dehydroepiandrosterone on Toxoplasma gondii extracellular tachizoytes

“…This is a worldwide disease with a prevalence average of 40 % [3]. Particularly, in Mexico the sero-prevalence goes from 40-70% depending on the region of the country [4-5]. T gondii infection can induce abortion, encephalitis, and in extremely cases, death.…”