Toxoplasmosis: Current and Emerging Parasite Druggable Targets

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Parasitology
• Drug Discovery

Background:

• Toxoplasmosis, caused by *Toxoplasma gondii*, is a widespread parasitic infection affecting humans and animals.
• It presents in acute and chronic forms, leading to ocular, congenital, and neurological complications, and is linked to cancers.
• In veterinary medicine, it causes significant economic losses due to abortions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a comprehensive overview of current and emerging drugs for toxoplasmosis treatment.
• To discuss drug repurposing strategies and identify future therapeutic targets.
• To enhance therapeutic efficacy against *Toxoplasma gondii* and reduce disease burden.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on toxoplasmosis treatments.
• Analysis of antiparasitic and antibacterial drugs targeting *T. gondii*.
• Exploration of drug repurposing and novel druggable targets.

Main Results:

• Current treatments are often ineffective against chronic toxoplasmosis and face challenges like resistance and side effects.
• Emerging drugs and repurposed medications show promise for improved efficacy.
• Identification of potential new targets for future drug development against *T. gondii*.

Conclusions:

• There is a critical need for more effective treatments, particularly for chronic toxoplasmosis.
• Drug repurposing and targeting novel pathways offer promising avenues for enhanced therapeutic strategies.
• Further research into druggable targets is essential to combat the global burden of toxoplasmosis.