Toxoplasma gondii — control measures for reducing risks in the pork production chain

Abstract

Parasites are highly significant pathogens that are transmitted through food. Their specificlife cycles, transmission routes, and usually a lengthy period between infection and the firstsymptoms of the disease make them a substantial risk to public health. Additionally, thereare challenges in detection, diagnosis, and treatment. Toxoplasmosis is considered the mostwidespread parasitic infection on a global scale. It is caused by the protozoan Toxoplasmagondii, one of the most successful parasites of animals and humans due to its ability to parasitizewithin the nuclei of a wide range of hosts. Because of its importance in both veterinaryand human medicine, T. gondii is one of the most extensively studied parasites. Existing datashow seroprevalences differ across continents, countries, and even within states and amongspecific communities. Consuming undercooked meat presents one of the greatest risk factorsfor human infection with the T. gondii parasite, with pork being recognized as a dominantsource of infection.