One in 150 Australians have retinal scars caused by the Toxoplasma parasite, according a new Flinders University analysis that has prompted calls for increased awareness about the risks of eating raw and undercooked meat.
Closely associated with cats, Toxoplasma is a parasite that causes the infectious disease known as toxoplasmosis. Many animals around the world are infected, generally contracting the disease in environments soiled by infected cats or by consuming other infected animals.
According to Flinders experts, while domestic cat faeces can be a carrier for humans, the most common route of infection is by eating undercooked or raw meat sourced from infected livestock.
A Toxoplasma parasite infection can put people at risk of attacks of toxoplasmosis that can progressively damage the retina and lead to vision loss.
“Considering Australia’s substantial population of feral cats that are known to be infected, alongside high levels of farming and diets rich in meat, it’s imperative we understand the prevalence of the disease across the country,” study senior author Professor Justine Smith, Strategic Professor in Eye & Vision Health at Flinders University, said.
“While there is no cure or vaccine, the symptoms of toxoplasmosis vary depending on the age, health and genetics of the infected individual. Many people are asymptomatic, but the most common disease that we see in the clinic is retinal inflammation and scarring known as ocular toxoplasmosis.
“Studies around the world show that 30% to 50% of the global population is infected with Toxoplasma, but despite knowing that, what we didn’t know was how common the related eye disease was.”
In the study, published in the journal Ophthalmology Retina, Smith and her team analysed retina photographs of over 5,000 people living in the Busselton area in Western Australia, previously collected to evaluate the prevalence of glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration for a long-term healthy ageing study.
Three specialised ophthalmologists, including Smith, assessed the scans for toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis, with positive cases confirmed with antibody blood tests.
“Among the 5,000 people, we found eight participants with blood test-confirmed toxoplasmic retinal scars. Add to that that about three-quarters of the retinal lesions would be in a position not visible in these particular photographs, we were able to estimate the prevalence of ocular toxoplasmosis to be one per 149 persons,” Smith said.
According to a press release, the work represents the first effort to quantify the rate of ocular toxoplasmosis in Australia, with the findings indicating the condition can be considered common.
With previous research showing the infection can lead to reduced vision in more than 50% of eyes and even blindness, the authors say it is important for people understand the risk factors of toxoplasmosis and ways to avoid it.
“While people are often familiar with pregnant women needing to avoid cat litter trays, we also need everyone to know that preparation of meat is an important risk factor,” Smith said.
In 2019, Smith’s previous research highlighted a high prevalence of Toxoplasma in Australian lamb sold in supermarkets.
“Add to that that it’s now becoming more common to prepare meat in and out of restaurants to be purposefully undercooked or raw, then the likelihood of people becoming infected with Toxoplasma increases,” she said.
“We need people to be aware this disease exists, so they can make informed decisions about how they prepare and eat their meat. The parasite can be killed easily by cooking the meat to an internal temperature of 66ºC (or medium) or by freezing it prior to cooking.”
The research follows on from a series of papers recently published by Professor Smith and team on the condition, including one that uses new technology retinal imaging to show the changes that occur in ocular toxoplasmosis at the tissue-level, and another that highlights the best clinical practice for managing the disease.
‘Prevalence of Toxoplasmic Retinochoroiditis in an Australian Adult Population: a Community-Based Study’ will be published in the journal Ophthalmology Retina.
Co-authors are from the University of São Paulo Brazil, University of Western Australia, Edith Cowan University, PathWest Laboratory Medicine WA and the Queensland Eye Institute.
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