2012/04/01 by Florence Robert-Gangneux, Marie‐Laure Dardé · 7 citations
Immunology and Microbiology · Medicine · #Toxoplasma gondii Research Studies #Viral Infections and Vectors #Rabies epidemiology and control #Toxoplasmosis #Epidemiology #Medicine #Virology #Immunology #Pathology
paper · pdf · doi:10.1128/cmr.05013-11
openalex publication_date 2012/04/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/05
The apicomplexan parasite Toxoplasma gondii was discovered a little over 100 years ago, but knowledge of its biological life cycle and its medical importance has grown in the last 40 years. This obligate intracellular parasite was identified early as a pathogen responsible for congenital infection, but its clinical expression and the importance of reactivations of infections in immunocompromised patients were recognized later, in the era of organ transplantation and HIV infection. Recent knowledge of host cell-parasite interactions and of parasite virulence has brought new insights into the comprehension of the pathophysiology of infection. In this review, we focus on epidemiological and diagnostic aspects, putting them in perspective with current knowledge of parasite genotypes. In particular, we provide critical information on diagnostic methods according to the patient's background and discuss the implementation of screening tools for congenital toxoplasmosis according to health policies.