Mathematical modelling of Toxoplasma gondii transmission: A systematic review

• Published in: Food and waterborne parasitology Vol. 22; p. e00102
• Main Authors: Deng, Huifang, Cummins, Rachel, Schares, Gereon, Trevisan, Chiara, Enemark, Heidi, Waap, Helga, Srbljanovic, Jelena, Djurkovic-Djakovic, Olgica, Pires, Sara Monteiro, van der Giessen, Joke W.B., Opsteegh, Marieke
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier Inc 01.03.2021; Elsevier
• Subjects: burden of disease; etiological agents; Mathematical model; Modelling; outbreak investigation; parasites; parasitology; Protozoa; public health; Special issue: Transmission Model; systematic review; Toxoplasma gondii; Toxoplasmosis; Transmission; Zoonoses; Modelling; Mathematical model; Toxoplasmosis; Transmission; Zoonoses
• ISSN: 2405-6766; 2405-6766
• DOI: 10.1016/j.fawpar.2020.e00102

Toxoplasma gondii is a ubiquitous protozoan parasite that can infect virtually all warm-blooded animals. It is the causative agent of toxoplasmosis, a significant public health issue worldwide. Mathematical models are useful to study the transmission dynamics of T. gondii infection in different settings, and may be used to compare the effectiveness of prevention measures. To obtain an overview of existing mathematical models for transmission of T. gondii, a systematic review was undertaken. The review was conducted according to an a priori protocol and the results were reported according to the PRISMA guidelines. Specific search terms were developed and used in the search of three databases (Scopus, PubMed, and Embase). In total, 484 unique records were retrieved from the systematic search. Among them, 15 studies that used mathematical models to study the transmission of T. gondii. These studies were categorized into four groups based on the primary aims: dynamics of transmission (n=8), intervention (n=5), spatial distribution (n=1), and outbreak investigation (n=1). Considering the high disease burden caused by T. gondii, the number of studies using mathematical models to understand the transmission dynamics of this parasite and to evaluate the effectiveness of intervention measures was only 15. This systematic review provides an overview of existing mathematical models and identifies the data gaps for model building. The results from this study can be helpful for further development of mathematical models and improved understanding of the transmission dynamics of T. gondii infection. •We identified 15 mathematical models studying the transmission of T. gondii.•An overview of existing mathematical models on transmission of T. gondii is presented.•Modelling approaches and control strategies investigated by the models are compared.