25 sep 2024 - 10:08 CET

Our director, Prof. Dr. Luis Miguel Ortega Mora, delivered the keynote lecture, "Foodborne zoonoses: Toxoplasma gondii infection as a paradigm of the One Health concept," last Monday, September 23, at the headquarters of the Royal Academy of Veterinary Sciences of Spain (RACVE) in Madrid.

In his talk, Prof. Ortega-Mora emphasized that shared diseases are a cornerstone of veterinary sciences. Toxoplasma gondii is a prominent zoonotic parasite, found in diverse habitats from polar regions to the tropics and in terrestrial and aquatic environments. It affects all warm-blooded species, including humans. It is estimated that up to one-third of the human population is infected by this parasite. T. gondii infection has a complex epidemiology, and given its prevalence, impact on animal and public health, versatility in transmission modes, and presence in various compartments and ecosystems, it exemplifies the "One Health" concept.

During the presentation, key historical aspects of the parasite and the disease were reviewed, along with the significance and impact of this zoonosis in different One Health compartments. To conclude, some ongoing research in this field was highlighted. Specifically, studies were discussed on: (i) the genetic and phenotypic characterization of predominant parasite populations in Europe and Spain and their implications for virulence; (ii) the investigation of parasite-host interactions during congenital toxoplasmosis, including a new potential pathogenic mechanism; and (iii) a proposal for harmonizing disease models in domestic animals to better understand the safety and efficacy of potential drugs and vaccines and their potential translation to humans.

If you missed the lecture, you can find the recording at this link (in Spanish, with English subtitles available): https://youtu.be/j-a_cwE7cQU?si=I5hoqBQ9kOEb8sa4