Toxoplasmose em felinos: aspectos epidemiológicos e medidas preventivas

There is a noticeable lack of information in both human and veterinary medicine regarding toxoplasmosis and its prevention and control measures. Therefore, it was deemed necessary to make this knowledge more accessible through a comprehensive study compiling what is known about the etiology, pathogenesis, epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment, preventive medicine, and control of Toxoplasma gondii. To this end, a literature review was conducted, bringing together a substantial number of concepts and data that every healthcare professional — whether in human or veterinary medicine — should possess in order to prevent misinformation about this zoonosis. Furthermore, the review addresses the issue of T. gondii, a protozoan parasite capable of infecting any endothermic animal, with felines serving as the definitive host. It is noted that this parasitic infection is common in kittens, while adult cats are typically asymptomatic but shed oocysts into the environment, contaminating the soil and facilitating the infection of intermediate hosts. Diagnosis may involve complete blood counts, biochemical tests, ophthalmological and radiographic examinations (in cases of neurological or ocular involvement), or serological testing. The choice of diagnostic method depends on the patient’s clinical presentation and the stage of disease progression. Thus, toxoplasmosis is a zoonosis of significant public health concern, influencing feline management practices. Awareness and understanding of the disease encourage better personal and food hygiene practices. This issue requires collaboration between human and animal health professionals within a shared environment, reinforcing that its prevention and control are central to the One Health approach.