Prevalence of Ocular Toxoplasmosis in the General Population and Uveitis Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

ABSTRACT

Purpose

The present study aimed to estimate the global prevalence of ocular toxoplasmosis in the general population and patients with uveitis.

Methods

Four electronic databases were searched and 130 studies for evaluating the prevalence of OT among the general population and uveitis patients were included.

Results

The pooled prevalence of OT among the general population was estimated at 2% (95% CI, 2–3%; 762/486 051). The highest prevalence rate was observed in America 6% (95% CI, 1–11%). In uveitis patients, a prevalence rate of 9% (95% CI, 8–10%; 5668/88 006) was reported. The countries with a lower middle income had higher prevalence rates. The prevalence of OT in posterior uveitis 33% (95%CI, 24–42%) was substantially higher than in panuveitis 7% (95% CI, 5–8%).

Conclusion

Our results provide a new perspective on the prevalence of OT. Knowledge of international and regional patterns of disease is essential for the establishment of precise diagnostic protocols and control programs.

KEYWORDS:

• Ocular toxoplasmosis
• patients
• population
• prevalence
• uveitis

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the Research Council of Babol University of Medical Sciences for its financial support (Grant No: 140114116).

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Supplementary Material

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed online at https://doi.org/10.1080/09273948.2023.2190801

Additional information

Funding

The work was supported by the Babol University of Medical Sciences [140114116].