Bibliometric Analysis of Congenital Toxoplasmosis: A Ten-Year (2013-2023) Review of Research Publications

Abstract

Background: Toxoplasma gondii, an obligate intracellular protozoan, infects more than one-third of the global population and causes toxoplasmosis, which can lead to severe fetal complications in pregnant women. The global prevalence of latent toxoplasmosis in pregnant women is 33.8%, with regional variations and risk factors, including the consumption of undercooked meat, exposure to cat feces, and consumption of contaminated water. Pregnant women lack sufficient awareness of these risk factors, necessitating enhanced education, regular screening, and counseling during antenatal care for early detection and management.
Aim: This study performed a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of research on congenital toxoplasmosis published between 2013 and 2023.
Methods: A bibliometric analysis was conducted using the Scopus database, focusing on original research publications related to congenital toxoplasmosis published between 2013 and 2023, spanning 10 years.
Results: A total of two thousand and one hundred (2100) publications on congenital toxoplasmosis and toxoplasmosis during pregnancy were indexed in Scopus between 2013 and 2023. Ferro E.A.V. (n=33), Villena I. (n=31), and Montoya J.G. (n=28) were the top three researchers with the most published scientific publications. A total of 134 countries contributed to congenital toxoplasmosis and pregnancy toxoplasmosis studies. The USA had the highest number of publications (n = 428) on congenital toxoplasmosis, followed by Brazil with 330 publications. Most publications were published between 2021 (n=235) and 2022 (n=245). Inserm (n=64), Fundacao Oswaldo Cruz (n=63), and Universidade de São Paulo (n=54) had the highest research output.
Conclusion: The number of publications on congenital toxoplasmosis has increased globally, with a slight decline during the COVID-19 period. However, the analysis revealed disparities in global research output between developed and developing countries, with underrepresentation in regions with the highest disease burden. These findings highlight the need for enhanced collaborative networks to improve research output, particularly in developing countries.