A review on toxoplasmosis in humans and animals from Egypt

Abstract

The present paper summarizes prevalence, epidemiology and clinical disease of natural Toxoplasma gondii infections in humans and animals from Egypt. The current situation of toxoplasmosis in Egypt is confusing. There is no central laboratory or group of researchers actively investigating toxoplasmosis in humans or animals, and no reports on the national level are available. Based on various serological tests and convenience samples, T. gondii infections appear highly prevalent in humans and animals from Egypt. Living circumstances in Egypt favour the transmission of T. gondii. Up to 95% of domestic cats, the key host of T. gondii, are infected with T. gondii; they are abundant in rural and suburban areas, spreading T. gondii oocysts. Many women have been tested in maternity clinics, most with no definitive diagnosis. Toxoplasma gondii DNA and IgM antibodies have been found in blood samples of blood donors. Clinical toxoplasmosis in humans from Egypt needs further investigations using definitive procedures. Reports on congenital toxoplasmosis are conflicting and some reports are alarming. Although there are many serological surveys for T. gondii in animals, data on clinical infections are lacking. Here, we critically review the status of toxoplasmosis in Egypt, which should be useful to biologist, public health workers, veterinarians and physicians.

Keywords: Animals; Egypt; Toxoplasma gondii; epidemiology; humans; prevalence; toxoplasmosis.

Fig. 1.

Map of Egypt including 27 governorates. (1) Matrouh; (2) Alexandria; (3) Beheira; (4) Kafr ElSheikh; (5) Dakahlia; (6) Damietta; (7) Port Said; (8) North Sinai; (9) Gharbia; (10) Menoufiya; (11) Kalubiya; (12) Sharkia; (13) Ismailia; (14) Giza; (15) Fayoum; (16) Cairo; (17) Suez; (18) South Sinai; (19) Beni Suef; (20) Minia; (21) El Wady El Gadeed; (22) Assiut; (23) Red Sea; (24) Sohag; (25) Qena; (26) Luxor; (27) Aswan.