Digging into Toxoplasma gondii infections via soil: A quantitative microbial risk assessment approach.

Soil has been identified as an important source of exposure to a variety of chemical and biological contaminants. Toxoplasma gondii is one of those potential biological contaminants associated with serious health effects in pregnant women and immunocompromised patients. Gardening or consumption of homegrown vegetables may present an important route of T.

Prioritizing emerging zoonoses in the Netherlands.

Background: To support the development of early warning and surveillance systems of emerging zoonoses, we present a general method to prioritize pathogens using a quantitative, stochastic multi-criteria model, parameterized for the Netherlands.

Methodology/principal Findings: A risk score was based on seven criteria, reflecting assessments of the epidemiology and impact of these pathogens on society. Criteria were weighed, based on the preferences of a panel of judges with a background in infectious disease control.