Epidemiological Insights into Toxoplasmosis in Egypt: A Review of Transmission, Risk Factors, Diagnostics, and Molecular Diversity of Toxoplasma gondii in Humans and Livestock Animals

Barghash, Safaa; M. Abdel-Baky, Sayed; R. Abou Elnaga, Tarek; ‬‏ E.Balata, Mohamed; Yassin, Samah; Khattab, Reham; Khidr, Raafat E.; Mohsen, Al-Shaimaa

doi:10.21608/ejcs.2025.394057.1027

	Epidemiological Insights into Toxoplasmosis in Egypt: A Review of Transmission, Risk Factors, Diagnostics, and Molecular Diversity of Toxoplasma gondii in Humans and Livestock Animals
Egyptian Journal of Camel Science
Volume 3, Issue 1, June 2025, Page 13-25 PDF (683.31 K)
Document Type: Review Articles
DOI: 10.21608/ejcs.2025.394057.1027
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Authors
Safaa Barghash¹; Sayed M. Abdel-Baky¹; Tarek R. Abou Elnaga²; Mohamed ‬‏ E.Balata³; Samah Yassin⁴; Reham Khattab⁵; Raafat E. Khidr⁶; Al-Shaimaa Mohsen ⁷
¹Professor of Parasitology, Parasitology Unit, Animal and Poultry Health Department, Desert Research Center
²Professor of Parasitology, Infectious Diseases Unit, Animal and Poultry Health Department, Desert Research Center
³Professor of Microbiology, Infectious Diseases Unit, Animal and Poultry Health Department, Desert Research Center
⁴PhD of Entomology, Parasitology Unit, Animal and Poultry Health Department, Desert Research Center
⁵PhD of Parasitology Parasitology Unit, Animal and Poultry Health Department, Desert Research Center
⁶Animal and p[oultry Nutrition Department, Desert Reseach Center,
⁷Ass. Prof. of Parasitology, Faculty of Science AlAzhar University
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a globally distributed zoonotic parasite affecting both humans and animals, with significant implications for public health and livestock production. Egypt represents a critical epidemiological setting owing to its agricultural economy, widespread animal husbandry, and high human-animal interaction. This review summarizes the existing situation supported by recent literature on the epidemiology of T. gondii infection in humans, camels, sheep, goats, and cattle across various Egyptian locations. The prevalence of infection demonstrates wide variation across host species and geographic localities, with consistently higher infection rates in camels and small ruminants compared to cattle. In humans, particularly among pregnant women, infection has been frequently associated with cat exposure, undercooked meat consumption, and poor hygiene. Among animals, species susceptibility, age, sex, and environmental conditions contribute to varying infection dynamics. In the following, we will highlight the endemic nature of toxoplasmosis in Egypt and underscore the necessity for integrated public health and veterinary measures, taking the recent approaches to mitigate this serious disease into consideration.
Keywords
Toxoplasma gondii; Egypt; Humans; Camels; Small ruminants


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