| Felidae as definitive hosts for Toxoplasma gondii play a major role in transmission to all warm blooded animals. Therefore the current comprehensive study was performed to determine the global status of Toxoplasma infection in domestic and wild felids from a public health perspective. Different databases were searched by utilizing particular key words for publications related to T. gondii infecting domestic and wild feline host species, worldwide, from 1970 to 2020. The review of 337 reports showed that the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma in domestic cats and wild felids was estimated in 37.5% (95% CI = 34.7-40.3) (I2 = 98.3%, P < 0.001) and 64% (95% CI = 60-67.9) (I2 = 88%, P < 0.0001), respectively. The global pooled prevalence of oocysts in the fecal examined specimens from domestic cats was estimated in 2.6% (95% CI = 1.9-3.3) (I2 = 96.1%, P < 0.0001), and that in fecal samples from wild felids was estimated in 2.4% (95% CI = 1.1-4.2) (I2 = 86.4%, P < 0.0001). In addition, from 13,252 examined soil samples in 14 reviewed studies, the pooled prevalence of T. gondii oocysts was determined in 16.2% (95% CI=7.66-27.03%). The observed high rates of anti-Toxoplasma antibodies seroprevalence levels and oocyst excretion frequency in the felids, along with soil contamination with those oocysts are a potential threat to animal and public health, and should be taken into account when prophylaxis/control programs are established. |