Search Articles

Home / Articles

A REVIEW ON TOXOPLASMOSIS IN HUMANS AND ANIMALS FROM KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA, PAKISTAN

. Huma Fatima, Nargis Shaheen, Bibi Hajira Khan Niaz Khan, Fawad Ali & Khadija Ahmad


Abstract

Toxoplasmosis is a zoonotic disease caused by a protozoan parasite, Toxoplasma gondii which infects all warm blooded animals including humans. Three forms of T. gondii exist i.e. tachyzoite, bradyzoite (an intermediate host) and oocyte (in cats). This study was reported to review the prevalence of toxoplasmosis in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. For this study past 10 years data (2010-2020) was reviewed in humans and animals of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Data was reviewed for in humans (both male and female) of different age groups and women of different trimesters. Research papers were also reviewed for the prevalence of this disease in following animals (sheep, goats, buffaloes, cows and chickens) of KPK.  The prevalence was higher in the 1st trimester as compared to 2nd and 3rd trimesters. Highest prevalence was recorded in the age of 30-55 years while low prevalence was recorded in the younger age group (15-30 years). In animals this disease was more prevalent in the sheep and goats and less prevalent in the chickens.  According to sex wise prevalence, the rate of toxoplasmosis was high in female gender of sheep, goat, buffalo, cow and caged chicken as compared to male gender of these animals. It is recommended that this review should be extended to other provinces of Pakistan to know the exact status of toxoplasmosis in Pakistan. 

Download :