Incidence and Risk Factors of Toxoplasma gondii in Workers that Occupationally Handle Animals: A Systematic Review

Toxoplasma gondii is a parasite capable of infecting humans and other warm-blooded animals, which has chronically infected approximately a third of the world population. While mostly asymptomatic in immunocompetent patients, it is considered a serious disease in immunocompromised patients, with potentially fatal consequences. Workers that occupationally handle animals-such as farmers, butchers and veterinarians -, are under higher risk of being infected. Most common risk factors among these workers include contact with soil, improper hygiene, and consumption of undercooked meat and unwashed raw vegetables or fruits. There is also an increase in seropositivity with age. The authors conducted a systematic review of all available studies on the topic on the period between 2014 and June 2019 and included studies that detail T. gondii prevalence and risk factors. The information and data was collected from scientific databases-such as PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus and ISI Web of Science. The aim of this systematic review was to assess incidence and risk factors of Toxoplasma gondii in workers that are under exposure to animals in their line of work.