Molecular prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in world soils: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is a globally distributed protozoan parasite known for its zoonotic potential and health implications for humans and animals. Soil is a significant reservoir for T. gondii oocysts, which can contaminate agricultural products and threaten food safety and public health. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis study was conducted to determine the molecular prevalence of T. gondii in soils worldwide. A comprehensive literature search was conducted in several electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect and Web of Science) and the Google Scholar search engine, targeting studies published up to December 2024. The data were synthesized using a random effect model with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The screening process revealed 44 relevant studies, of which 27 met the inclusion criteria for the final analysis. The overall pooled prevalence of T. gondii in soil samples was 14% (95% CI 13 to 16%) using molecular detection methods. Also, meta-regression analysis showed no statistically significant differences in the overall prevalence of T. gondii in soil samples based on continents (P = 0.343), diagnostic methods (P = 0.919), and quality assessment score (P = 0.110). These findings highlight the widespread presence of T. gondii in soil and raise concerns about its implications for agricultural practices and food safety. The results support increased monitoring of soil contamination and the development of strategies to reduce the risk of toxoplasmosis transmission through environmental routes.