Review Article: Global Clinical and Epidemiological Perspectives on Toxoplasmosis: A Systematic Review of Pathogenesis, Diagnostic Advancements, and Therapeutic Challenges

Abstract

This systematic review seeks to compile the available knowledge of Toxoplasma gondii pathogenesis, recent diagnostic advances and therapeutic challenges in an effort to provide evidence to clinicians and researchers for their control and prevention of toxoplasmosis. A comprehensive search of the literature was performed in major electronic databases including PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar, for articles published from 2010 to 2024. The review emphasized systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and clinical trials relating to the clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic issues in toxoplasmosis. Worldwide toxoplasmosis remains a great challenge to public health and this is reflected in the evolution of diagnostic techniques from traditional serological assays to modern, highly sensitive molecular assays, in particular PCR and IgG avidity assays which are particularly important in the management of infection in pregnancy. However, a major treatment gap exists whereby current anti-Toxoplasma drugs effectively eradicate the acute tachyzoite stages but do not eliminate the endemic, latent bradyzoite cysts, resulting in lifelong infection and reactivation of disease in immunosuppressed hosts. There have been improvements in diagnosis, but there is an urgent need for new drugs to kill every stage of the organism and for a vaccine for humans. Public awareness campaigns and routine screening, especially in pregnant women, will decrease the toll taken each year around the world by this parasite. Download Full Text