Short report: Annual burden of ocular toxoplasmosis in the United States

Abstract

Toxoplasmosis is the most common retinal infection in the United States, and it can severely impact vision. We used data from population-based studies, outbreaks, and the U.S. census to estimate the burden of Toxoplasma gondii infection and ocular toxoplasmosis. We estimate that 1,075,242 persons are infected with T. gondii, 21,505 persons have ocular lesions (both asymptomatic and symptomatic), and 4,839 (range = 2,150-7,527) persons develop symptomatic ocular toxoplasmosis each year in the United States. Toxoplasmosis contributes a significant burden to eye disease in the United States. Copyright © 2010 by The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene.