1. What is Toxoplasma gondii? ​

Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan parasite that infects most species of warm-blooded animals, including humans and causes the disease toxoplasmosis.​ ​

2. What are the relative contributions of the different sources and transmission routes of Toxoplasma gondii infection?​

The Joint Research Project TOXOSOURCES provided a unique collaboration across 20 European institutes to address this question.​ ​The project was led by Statens Serum Institut.​

TOXOSOURCES used several multidisciplinary approaches and novel improved methods to deliver robust estimates to quantify T. gondii sources and identify transmission routes.​ ​

Some main project achievements included:​

1. Improved source attribution models. ​

2. Development of a novel serological method to specifically detect infections caused by T. gondii oocysts (eggs). ​

3. Development of a novel typing method to detect the introduction of atypical T. gondii strains by import and to trace the infection sources in outbreaks.

TOXOSOURCES tools will better inform risk management and policymakers about the relative risk of this parasitic health threat.​

Find out more information about these project outputs and their applications here.