A Review of Toxoplasma gondii in Animals in Greece: A FoodBorne Pathogen of Public Health Importance

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Toxoplasma gondii is a parasite that can infect humans and animals, mainly through meat consumption. It is also the second most important pathogen transmitted with food in Europe. However, detecting the presence of T. gondii in animal meat differs on a country basis since there are no mandatory controls along the food chain in the European Union. Underreporting of cases is still a problem in many countries like Greece. The current review examines the prevalence of T. gondii in animals in Greece and identifies the risks associated with meat transmission. Certain animals like sows, wild boars, hares, equines, and cats had lower levels of infection, while sheep and goats generally had higher levels compared to other European countries and to the global averages. The level of infection in chickens was similar between Greece and Europe, while there was high variation in cattle studies, with no data regarding dairy products. Until now, Greece has not implemented a comprehensive system to ensure meat safety, particularly regarding T. gondii. This review highlights the preventive measures that the state should implement to ensure food safety and protect public health, as well as the various control measures that should be adopted by consumers to reduce the infection risk. ABSTRACT: Toxoplasma gondii is a zoonotic protozoon with a complex life cycle and the second most important foodborne pathogen in Europe. Surveillance of toxoplasmosis is based on national considerations since there are no mandatory controls along the food chain in the European Union, and underreporting of meat is still a problem in many countries like Greece. The current review provides an overview of T. gondii prevalence, associated risk factors, and surveillance in animals in Greece, focusing on the transmission role of meat and highlighting the control measures that should be adopted by consumers. Sows, wild boars, hares, equines, and cats had lower, while sheep and goats generally had higher seroprevalence than their respective pooled European and global values. Seroprevalence in chickens was similar between Greece and Europe, while there was high variation in cattle studies, with no data regarding dairy products. Though a comprehensive meat safety assurance system is the most effective approach to control the principal biological hazards associated with meat, such as T. gondii, the prerequisite risk categorisation of farms and abattoirs based on EFSA’s proposed harmonised epidemiological indicators has not materialised as yet in Greece. Therefore, comprehensive control strategies are still required to ensure food safety and safeguard public health.