Bridging Human and Animal Health Science to Tackle Toxoplasmosis: A One Health Perspective

Toxoplasmosis is an insidious globally distributed zoonosis accounting for approximately one-fifth of all foodborne illnesses in humans in Europe. It stands as a classic example of a disease transmitted through the close interconnection between humans, animals, and the environment. Accordingly, mitigation strategies and health management protocols demand cross-sectoral involvement from medical, veterinary, environmental, and political actors, rendering the adoption of a 'One Health' perspective essential. Despite longstanding advocacy for One Health by the WHO, WHOA, and FAO, national health authorities have yet to establish the necessary infrastructure. Specifically, there is a lack of tools to enable information sharing among professionals, which is essential for the synergistic management of major health issues. The scientific community has a responsibility to propose such tools. A four-part epidemiological data collection tool specifically developed for human toxoplasmosis is proposed here to standardize the identification of risk factors and potential sources of infection. The tool comprises four distinct sections intended to be completed in a systematic, sequential manner: first through an interview with the appropriately informed and sensitized patient, then with the input of the attending physician, then of the veterinarian involved, and finally of the national reference laboratory for zoonoses. This tool, if widespread and properly managed, can be valuable for the prevention of toxoplasmosis cases. Although its limitation stems from potential delays in epidemiological information collection due to the natural incubation period, the instrument remains effective when administered by experienced professionals. Critically, this tool could serve as prototype mechanism for the management of other zoonoses.