[Toxoplasmosis, a parasitic zoonoses prevalent in Chile: count and challenges]. / Toxoplasmosis, zoonosis parasitaria prevalente en Chile: recuento y desafíos.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Toxoplasmosis, cosmopolitan parasitic zoonosis often found in humans, is transmitted mainly by food and water, and is considered a significant risk of morbidity and mortality in pregnant women, newborns and immunocompromised patients. OBJECTIVE: To identify the information about this zoonosis and its first reports in Chile. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Review of publications in Pubmed, Mesh search of systematic reviews, case studies, cross-sectional studies, systematic reviews, meta-analysis and specialty publications. In addition, other publications in parasitology journals were analyzed. CONCLUSIONS: There are reports of the presence of this disease in Chile for 60 years. During this time several differences in prevalence depending on geographic location, age and education level of the population have been detected. There is low epidemiological vigilance and lack of specific official preventive measures for this disease, despite the possible introduction of new parasite genotypes of an increased virulence and pathogenicity in the country through the importation of meat. New enigmas have arisen in relation to this disease associating it with Alzheimer, Parkinson's disease, autism, learning disabilities, among others.