Trends Parasitol. 2008 Oct 23. [Epub ahead of print]
Toxoplasma-safe meat: close to reality?
Kijlstra A, Jongert E.
Animal Sciences Group, Wageningen UR, PO Box 65, 8200AB Lelystad, The Netherlands; Department of Ophthalmology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
In 2008, the centennial of the discovery of Toxoplasma gondii was celebrated. However, toxoplasmosis is still seen as a neglected and underreported disease, despite having a disease burden similar to that of salmonellosis and campylobacteriosis. Human vaccines are not available and current antiparasitic treatment is disappointing. This has led to an urge to focus more on prevention. Food, soil or water contaminated with oocysts from cat faeces and undercooked meat from infected intermediate hosts are important routes of infection. Oocyst contamination is difficult to control, whereas in Western countries, the control of T. gondii in meat should be feasible. Here, we discuss strategies aimed at developing a Toxoplasma-safe meat chain.
PMID: 18951847 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
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