AUTHOR=Fernández-Escobar Mercedes , Schares Gereon , Maksimov Pavlo , Joeres Maike , Ortega-Mora Luis Miguel , Calero-Bernal Rafael 

TITLE=Toxoplasma gondii Genotyping: A Closer Look Into Europe

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology

VOLUME=12

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/cellular-and-infection-microbiology/articles/10.3389/fcimb.2022.842595

DOI=10.3389/fcimb.2022.842595

ISSN=2235-2988

ABSTRACT=<p><italic>Toxoplasma gondii</italic> is a major zoonotic agent which may cause harmful effects mainly in pregnant and immunocompromised hosts. Despite many efforts on its genetic characterization, an entirely clear picture of the population structure in Europe has not been achieved yet. The present study aimed to summarize the available genotyping information and to map the distribution of circulating strains. There is consensus on type II <italic>T. gondii</italic> genotypes prevailing in Europe, but the absence of harmonization in the use of typing methods limits detailed knowledge. Standardized, high-end typing tools and integrative strategies are needed to fill the gaps and complete an accurate image of the <italic>T. gondii</italic> genetic population in Europe.</p>