Epidemiology, Diagnosis, and Risk Factors of Toxoplasmosis in Children with Blood Cancer, Disabled, and Healthy Children

Introduction: Toxoplasma gondii is known as an intracellular parasite that is normally asymptomatic in immunocompromised individuals. According to serological evidence, one-third of the world’s population is infected with this parasitic infection. Chronic T. gondii infections may increase the host’s inflammatory responses and lead to increased mutation and cancer. The parasite also disrupts cellular barriers against cancer, causing the accumulation of carcinogenic products inside the cell. Moreover, it can be fatal in immunocompromised patients. Accordingly, this review study aimed at epidemiologically compare children with cancer or disabilities and healthy children by assessing serological and molecular findings worldwide. Methods: To this end, Google Scholar, PubMed, and English language databases were searched without any time limit to collect the required data. Results: Based on the findings, children were more exposed to risk factors than adults and had weaker immune systems. In addition, contact with cat feces and consuming raw and uncooked meat were the most common risk factors, highlighting the assessment of toxoplasmosis in children due to more contact with the soil, cats, and poor personal hygiene. Eventually, serological and molecular findings confirmed that toxoplasmosis was more prevalent in children with cancer and disability than in healthy children. Conclusion: The high prevalence of acute and chronic toxoplasmosis in children with cancer requires special attention. Overall, children’s parental awareness, personal hygiene, and eating habits can reduce the risk of infection and even prevent it, and more studies are needed to clarify the effect of toxoplasmosis on children with cancer.