Toxoplasmosis is a zoonotic disease caused by the intracellular protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii (Attias et al., 2020). This parasite has a worldwide distribution and can infect any warm-blooded animal and birds (Dubey, 2022). Felids, including domestic cats, are the definitive hosts and can shed T. gondii resistant oocysts to the environment through their feces when infected (Dubey et al., 2020). Other animals, including humans, serve as intermediate hosts, where the parasite can remain as tissue cysts throughout the host’s lifetime (Dubey, 2008; Robert-Gangneux and Dardé, 2012).

Humans face significant health risks due to exposure to T. gondii through contaminated soil, water, or food (Robert-Gangneux and Dardé, 2012). Infections can result in severe complications, particularly in immunocompromised individuals and fetuses of infected pregnant women (Dubey et al., 2021; Saadatnia and Golkar, 2012). Given the central role of cats in the life cycle and environmental dissemination of the parasite, understanding the geographic distribution of T. gondii, especially in areas with close human-cat interactions, is essential to inform targeted prevention strategies and reinforces the importance of a One Health approach.

Most cats become infected with T. gondii postnatally, shortly after weaning, with prevalence varying across different populations and regions (Dubey et al., 2020; Omonijo et al., 2022; Zhang et al., 2009). Although some uncertainty remains regarding specific risk factors due to variations in study designs and populations, felid lifestyle appears to influence significantly in infection risk (Dubey et al., 2020). Infection rates are generally lower in owned cats compared to strays, largely due to reduced exposure to contaminated environments and the consumption of commercial pet food (Chalkowski et al., 2019; Dubey et al., 2020; Magalhães et al., 2017; Zhang et al., 2009).

Globally, the seroprevalence of T. gondii has been estimated at 35 % in domestic cats and 59 % in wild felids, with considerable variation across regions (Montazeri et al., 2020). Higher prevalence rates have been reported in Australia and Africa, while lower rates are seen in Asia (Dubey et al., 2020; Montazeri et al., 2020). In Brazil, T. gondii infection rates in humans and animals are among the highest worldwide, with prevalence reaching up to 100 % in some areas (Dubey et al., 2020; Lopes-Mori et al., 2013; Munhoz et al., 2017; Murata et al., 2019; Pinto-Ferreira et al., 2020; Strang et al., 2020). This high prevalence correlates with severe clinical outcomes in humans, including ocular disease (Arantes et al., 2015; Arruda et al., 2021a; Barbosa et al., 2015; Bischoff et al., 2016; Brandão-De-Resende et al., 2020; Grigg et al., 2015; Murata et al., 2019; Previato et al., 2015).

The reported prevalence of T. gondii in cats across different regions of Brazil has varied widely over the past decade, ranging from 4.0 % to 82.8 % (Dubey et al., 2020). This variation highlights the importance of conducting region-specific epidemiological studies to identify unique local risk factors.

Furthermore, there is a lack of research integrating geospatial analysis to identify high-risk areas and elucidate the transmission dynamics of T. gondii in urban centers (Arruda et al., 2021b; Su et al., 2022; Taetzsch et al., 2018). Such studies are essential for a better understanding of the epidemiology of toxoplasmosis in humans and animals and for establishing effective and targeted preventive measures to control the disease (Arruda et al., 2021b; Cruz et al., 2011; Dubey et al., 2020).

In this context, the aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and geospatial distribution of T. gondii infection in pet and stray cats in the municipality of São José do Rio Preto, located in the Northwest region of São Paulo state, Brazil.