Public Health Risk of Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Domestic Cats in Shiraz and Strategies for Preventing Human Transmission

Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite with a worldwide distribution and the ability to infect nearly all warm-blooded animals, including humans. It is estimated that approximately ۳۰-۳۳% of the global population (about ۲-۲.۵ billion people) has been exposed to this parasite. Domestic cats (Felis catus), as the definitive hosts, play a crucial role in the environmental transmission of the parasite through the shedding of resistant oocysts in their feces. The present study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of T. gondii infection in domestic cats in Shiraz, Iran, and to assess its potential public health implications. A total of ۱۸۰ domestic cats were examined using serological and parasitological methods. The overall seroprevalence was ۲۳.۹%, while ۴.۴% of cats were actively shedding oocysts. Higher infection rates were observed in cats older than two years (۳۰.۶%) compared with younger cats (۱۵.۹%), and in outdoor cats (۳۲.۶%) compared with indoor cats (۱۴.۱%). These findings highlight the epidemiological importance of domestic cats as potential reservoirs of environmental contamination. Considering the population of more than ۱.۸ million people in Shiraz and favorable climatic conditions for oocyst survival, implementing integrated prevention strategies based on the One Health approach—including responsible pet ownership, environmental hygiene, and public health education—is essential to reduce the risk of zoonotic transmission.

کلیدواژه ها:

Toxoplasma gondii ، domestic cats ، zoonotic diseases ، public health ، Shiraz ، One Health