Toxoplasmosis, a zoonotic infection; A critical and updated analysis: A Review Article

Abstract

Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic illness caused by Toxoplasma gondii, an obligate intracellular protozoan. It may infect humans and pets, as well as other warm-blooded mammals. Toxoplasmosis can be silent in the general public but it can be deadly in immunocompromised patients. This neurotropic protozoan has been linked to an increased risk of behavioral changes in infected animals and mental illnesses in human beings. The detection of a biological pathogen linked to schizophrenia is critical to comprehend the pathogen's biological influence on affected cases. Moreover, in schizophrenia cases, toxoplasmosis infection and lipid profile disturbance are frequent. The exact underlying pathology is yet unknown. Pregnant women are a particular risk group; they are liable to a higher risk of infection, leading to miscarriage, stillbirth, or permanent impairments in the unborn child. This review aimed to explore the up-to-date knowledge on this zoonotic parasite and critically analyze current information, inconsistencies, and implications on public health. We discuss the pathological pathways by which it produces its devastating effect on the central nervous system in both animals and human models, in addition to its enigmatic impact on lipid profile.

Keywords

• toxoplasmosis
• behavioral animal change
• schizophrenia
• lipid profile
• pregnancy