Preventing laboratory-acquired Toxoplasma gondii infection: literature review and case-based post-exposure prophylaxis proposal
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Case Report
Abstract: Occupationally acquired cases of the intracellular parasite Toxoplasma gondii have been reported, even though there is uncertainty on which infection prevention measures should be implemented in such event. We report a clinical case of laboratory-acquired toxoplasmosis and propose a protocol for post-exposure prophylaxis, given there are no formal guidelines. In this community case study, we describe the management and prevention protocol following an occupational laboratory exposure by a healthy 30-year-old Toxoplasma -seronegative female researcher who suffered an accidental needle puncture with a sample containing a genetically modified hypervirulent Toxoplasma gondii strain. Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole was implemented for 4 weeks, during which seroconversion occurred, without any accompanying symptoms. Toxoplasma IgM and IgG positivity was observed 21 and 50 days after exposure, respectively, using a validated commercial electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA, Roche). Follow-up was maintained for 1 year, during which the patient remained asymptomatic. This report highlights the importance of special care, surveillance and decision on the need for PEP upon occupational laboratory accidental exposure to Toxoplasma gondii . Since there are no guidelines on what the optimal PEP regimen should be, after a literature review, we propose a PEP occupational safety protocol to be implemented in laboratories that handle samples containing Toxoplasma gondii , either in clinical or research setting.
Source: Frontiers in Public Health
Language: English
Subfield: Parasitology
Field: Immunology and Microbiology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,801
OpenAlex ID: W7125134170