Experts Call for WHO to Recognize Ocular Toxoplasmosis as a Neglected Tropical Disease
Key Insights
A global consortium of experts argues that toxoplasmosis (search) meets all WHO criteria for classification as a neglected tropical disease (NTD), citing its substantial yet overlooked global health burden.
One third of the world's population is infected with Toxoplasma gondii (search), and ocular toxoplasmosis (search) is the leading intraocular infection and a major cause of vision loss worldwide.
The most severe outcomes, including blindness and congenital neurological damage, disproportionately affect populations with limited access to healthcare, safe food, clean water, and prenatal care.
One third of the world's population is infected with the Toxoplasma gondii (search) parasite, yet the resulting disease—toxoplasmosis (search)—receives limited attention on global health agendas. Now, a new global paper led by Associate Professor João Furtado from the University of São Paulo (search) and Professor Justine Smith from Flinders University has brought together experts from the Americas, Europe, Africa, and Asia to argue that toxoplasmosis fully meets all criteria set by the World Health Organization (WHO) for recognition as a neglected tropical disease (NTD).
The Viewpoint, published in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, contends that official recognition could advance research, capacity building, and public health action to address the substantial burden of toxoplasmosis (search), which continues to be one of the most common parasitic infectious diseases affecting humans and the leading intraocular infection worldwide.
A Preventable Disease with Disproportionate Impact
Toxoplasma gondii (search) is a protozoan parasite transmitted to humans primarily through ingestion of raw or undercooked meat containing tissue cysts, or fresh produce and water contaminated with oocysts shed by the definitive feline host. While less common, the heaviest health burden arises when the parasite is transmitted across the placenta of a newly infected pregnant woman to her fetus. In this context, a typically subclinical infection in the mother may cause miscarriage or lifelong neurological and visual impairment.
"Toxoplasmosis (search) is often seen as inevitable, but it has well characterized transmission pathways and can be prevented and controlled," said Associate Professor Furtado. He emphasized that the most severe outcomes, including blindness, occur in communities with limited access to healthcare, safe food, clean water, and prenatal care. "These impacts could be reduced through practical public health measures such as improved food safety, clean water, sanitation and better access to antenatal care."
The Case for NTD Recognition
The researchers argue that despite its global distribution, toxoplasmosis (search)'s most severe consequences disproportionately affect populations already facing social exclusion, restricted access to clinical services, and multiple health vulnerabilities. Accumulated evidence indicates that toxoplasmosis has well-characterized pathways of transmission and is both preventable and controllable—key considerations under the WHO NTD framework.
Senior author Professor Justine Smith, an internationally recognized ophthalmologist from FHMRI Eye & Vision at Flinders University, underscored the significance of the eye infection: "Toxoplasmosis (search) is a leading eye infection and a major cause of vision loss worldwide, yet it receives limited attention in global health agendas. With WHO's recognition, we can make substantial progress in prevention and management of this infection."
Unlocking Funding and Coordinated Action
Formal recognition as an NTD would unlock funding for research, prevention, and treatment, according to the researchers. Professor Smith noted that it "would support countries to integrate toxoplasmosis (search) prevention into maternal and child health programs, food safety systems and primary care." Recognition would also place the disease within the global One Health agenda, encouraging coordinated action across human, animal, agricultural, and environmental sectors.
"Addressing toxoplasmosis (search) requires collaboration across multiple fields," said Associate Professor Furtado. The team pointed out that other diseases have seen rapid gains after NTD classification, including improved health outcomes.
A Roadmap for Action
The paper outlines a practical roadmap for action, including better screening in pregnancy, improved food and water safety, and coordinated global responses. "At a time when the WHO NTD framework emphasizes equity, integration and multisectoral action, toxoplasmosis (search) represents a clear and actionable gap that warrants corrective action," said Professor Smith. "Our statement is a call to action to finally address the unacceptable global health burden of toxoplasmosis."