Epidemiological and Public Health Significance of <i>Toxoplasma gondii</i> Infection in Wild Rabbits and Hares: 2010–2020

• Main Authors: Sonia Almeria, Fernando H. A. Murata, Camila K. Cerqueira-Cézar, Oliver C. H. Kwok, Alicia Shipley, Jitender P. Dubey
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021-03-01
• Series: Microorganisms
• Subjects: <i>Toxoplasma gondii</i>; hares; rabbits; last decade; review
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/9/3/597

Toxoplasmosis is a zoonosis of global distribution, and <i>Toxoplasma gondii</i> infections are common in humans and animals worldwide. Hares and rabbits are important small game species, and their meat is consumed by humans in many countries. Demand for rabbit meat for human consumption is increasing; therefore, toxoplasmosis in rabbits and hares is of epidemiological significance. Viable <i>T. gondii</i> has been isolated from rabbits. The present review summarizes worldwide information on the seroprevalence, parasitological investigations, clinical cases, isolation, and genetic diversity of <i>T. gondii</i> in wild rabbits, free domestic rabbits, hares, and other rabbits from 2010 to 2020. Differences in prevalence, susceptibility, genetic variants, and clinical implications of <i>T. gondii</i> infection in rabbits and hares are discussed. This review will be of interest to biologists, parasitologists, veterinarians, and public health workers. Additional studies are needed to increase our knowledge of genetic variants and the population structure of <i>T. gondii</i> in rabbits and hares and to understand the differences in susceptibility to <i>T. gondii</i> in hares in different areas.