Toxoplasmosis Epidemiology in Iran: A Systematic Review

Background: Toxoplasmosis is a widespread zoonosis caused by Toxoplasma gondii. It may have severe pathologic effects on the fetus in pregnant women and also on immunocompromised hosts. Considering the importance of this parasite in making congenital toxoplasmosis and severe complications in immunosuppressive patients, it is necessary to obtain comprehensive information about the parasite and to determine the prevalence of this pathogen in different populations and different areas of Iran in order to manage and diagnose the infections. Methods: In this study, we collected all information about seroepidemiology of Toxoplasma in Iran using websites and search engines. We could review the results of 43 human and animal studies in 5 geographic regions, i.e. in the humid mild northern regions, cold and mountainous northwestern and western regions, dry and mild mountainous western regions, warm and dry central regions, and warm and humid southern regions. Findings: The prevalence of toxoplasmosis in the abovementioned regions was about 70%, 18-38%, 33-68%, 39%, and 20-35%, respectively. Conclusion: The prevalence of toxoplasmosis was the highest in humid mild northern regions and the lowest in the warm and dry central regions of Iran. Mild mountainous western regions had the second high prevalence. The highest seroconversion in childbearing age was observed in the mild mountainous western regions. In these areas, the risk of congenital toxoplasmosis was also higher than other regions. The prevalence of Toxoplasma in women was more than men. Moreover, housewives were inspected to be more at risk of infection. It is therefore necessary to provide this group of women with adequate information about how the infection spreads, especially during pregnancy. In addition, the infection among Iranian cats was higher than global figures. Meat from the sheep, goat, cattle, and chicken can also contain parasitic cysts. Keywords: Toxoplasmosis, Epidemiology, Iran-