TOXOPLASMOSIS

A Risk In Pregnancy
What is Toxoplasmosis?

● It is an infection caused by the parasite

Toxoplasma gondii
What causes Toxoplasmosis?

● The protozoan Toxoplasmosis gondii, is

a coccidian, obligate, intracellular
parasite responsible for zoonotic
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infections in man and other mammals
Life Cycle:

● Two phases
● Intestinal and extraintestinal
Toxoplasmosis gondii
● Oocysts- Only members of the cat family
shed oocysts

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Toxoplasmosis gondii
● Trophozoites- Tachyzoites are the
actively proliferating trophozoites, which
are observed during the acute stage of
infection
Toxoplasmosis gondii
● Tissue cysts: Tissue cysts are found
most commonly in the brain and in
skeletal and cardiac muscle but can
occur in any organ
Signs and Symptoms:

● Fever
● Sore throat
● Sore muscles
● Tiredness
● Swollen glands
● Temporary blurred vision or loss of vision
Diagnosis:

● Serological tests
● Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
● Histological demonstration of the
parasite and or its antigens (i.e.
immunoperoxidase stain)
● Isolation of the organism
Treatment:

● Treatment should be developed in

consultation with an obstetrician and
infectious disease specialist
● Combinations of anti-toxoplasmosis
medications (plus leurovorin)
● Hospitalization may be necessary
Prevention:
● Wear gloves when handling soil
● Wash hands with soap and water after outdoor
activities
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When preparing raw meat, wash any cutting
boards, sinks, knives and other utensils that
touched the raw meat thoroughly with soap and
hot water to avoid contaminating other foods
● Cook all meats thoroughly
Prevention:

● Keep cats indoors and feed them dry or

canned food rather than allowing them to
have access to wild birds and rodents
Prevention:

● Clean litter box everyday (because the

parasite found in cat feces needs one or
more days after it is past to become
infectious)
● Thoroughly wash hands after cleaning
litter box