Toxoplasmosis in Nigeria (2015–2025): A Review of Epidemiology, Risk Factors, and Research Trends
Terese Shadrach Akpem*, Jacob Fater Undo, Temilope Esther Ogunyanwo, Gabriel Terese Orum, Andrew Ngbede Paul, Samuel Oluwaponmile Abiodun1, Gideon Oyeku and Festus Terhemen Swem
ABSTRACT
Toxoplasmosis is a zoonotic disease caused by Toxoplasma gondii, capable of infecting all warm-blooded animals, including humans. It has a significant veterinary and public health impact in Nigeria, yet completely neglected with no national control programme. Climate and geographic location influences infection rates. This review focus on the epidemiology, risk factors, transmission dynamics, diagnostic, and research trends of toxoplasmosis across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones from 2015 to 2025. There exists limited data on toxoplasmosis from the South-East. Human seroprevalence varies by geopolitical zones, especially among pregnant women, women of childbearing age, HIV-positive people, school children, and workers in slaughterhouses. High prevalence has been documented in domestic animals, such as cats, livestock, poultry, and wildlife, which is of zoonotic and economic importance of the disease. Key risk factors identified are cat ownership, eating undercooked meat, unsanitary surroundings, contaminated water sources, and occupational exposure. Preventive measures include proper cooking of meat, responsible cat ownership, public enlightenment, and proper hygiene. Mainstream diagnostic techniques are immunohistochemistry, latex agglutination, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, modified agglutination tests and limited use of molecular techniques. This study shows the need for public health awareness and integrated One Health approaches to reduce toxoplasmosis burden in Nigeria.
