Parasitol Res. 2009 May 6. [Epub ahead of print]
Changing climate-changing pathogens: Toxoplasma gondii in North-Western Europe
Meerburg BG, Kijlstra A.
Wageningen University and Research Centre, Plant Research International, P.O. Box 616, 6700 AP, Wageningen, The Netherlands, Bastiaan.Meerburg@wur.nl.
In this review, we describe the effects of global climate change for one specific pathogen: the parasite Toxoplasma gondii. It is postulated that an increase of T. gondii prevalence in humans can occur in some regions of North-Western Europe as a result of changing environmental conditions. Such a change can be predicted by using Global Climate Change models. We have elaborated such a prediction for one scenario (SRES A1) by using one specific model (CCSR/NRIES) as an example. Next to environmental factors, also anthropogenic factors may contribute to increased prevalence of T. gondii in this region. In order to counter the potential severe consequences of a potential increase resulting from the combination of climatic and anthropogenic factors, there is an urgent need for the development of a human vaccine. Until a vaccine that offers complete protection is developed, the emphasis should be on treatment optimization and prevention.
PMID: 19418068 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
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