A Review on Treatment, Prevention, and Research of Worldwide Parasitic Disease: Toxoplasmosis

Toxoplasmosis is a worldwide, yet often overlooked, parasitic disease caused by the protozoan parasite, Toxoplasma gondii. The parasite is capable of infecting humans and almost all warm-blooded vertebrates. Over a million people are infected in the United States with toxoplasmosis each year. Most infections are asymptomatic but severe cases can lead to vision impairment, neurological disorders, and congenital birth defects. T. gondii is transmitted through undercooked meat, infected feline feces, or contaminated water and soil. The burden of T. gondii infection is most notable in livestock, felines, and immunocompromised humans. Despite being a widespread disease, toxoplasmosis is neglected in research and education. There is currently no vaccine to treat the infection in humans, but there are existing veterinary vaccines in various stages of testing and usage. Current treatment options include a few parasitic medications, such as pyrimethamine and sulfadiazine. These medications come with side effects, high price tags, and the inability to treat the latent stage of toxoplasmosis infection. Toxoplasma is a complex parasite with the ability to persist in the environment for many weeks to months and evade the host's immune response. More research, funding, and public awareness are needed to make strides toward treatment options, effective prevention, and disease reduction. Novel and creative approaches are needed to address the parasite’s complexity and socioeconomic impact. Toxoplasmosis will be a difficult disease to tackle, but there is a promising future for vaccination and treatment efforts to reduce the burden of this disease.