Acta Trop. 2025 Sep 5:107828. doi: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2025.107828. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
Congenital toxoplasmosis (CT) due to Toxoplasma gondii, an apicomplexan parasite, leads to significant sequelae in children, foetal losses and neonatal deaths worldwide. This study aimed to assess the burden of CT in Burundi for the year 2020. We used epidemiological and economic data collected in major hospitals in Burundi, the Ministry of Public Health in Burundi and international peer-reviewed literature to estimate the disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) and economic costs spent on prenatal consultations, diagnosis and treatment of toxoplasmosis for pregnant women. In Burundi, the incidence of CT in 2020 was 2.7 cases per 1000 children (95% UI: 1.8-3.7) and 1,180 children (95% UI: 797-1,633) were born with CT. The health burden due to CT in 2020 was estimated at 7,283 DALYs (95% UI: 4,469-10,920) when including and 3,671 DALYs (95% UI: 2,286-5,547) when excluding foetal losses, respectively. Approximately 550,000 USD (95% UI: 222,027-1,088,331) were economic losses due to CT in 2020, with 690 USD (95% UI: 375-1,002) per pregnant woman receiving treatment until delivery and 31 USD (95% UI: 10-70) for an untreated one. This study demonstrates that CT is a significant public health concern in Burundi. However, due to data gaps, uncertainties in DALY and economic cost estimates remain. Control measures, including proper meat cooking, improved hygiene and sanitation practices, better management of cats and their faeces, routine diagnostic check-ups for pregnant women, and timely treatment for infected pregnant women, are crucial to reduce the health and economic burden of toxoplasmosis in Burundi.
PMID:40915592 | DOI:10.1016/j.actatropica.2025.107828
