Toxoplasmosis
Toxoplasmosis Causes
Eating infected meat or ingesting feces of a cat that has recently been infected may cause the disease among animals. Transmission from mother to fetus also causes the disease.
Toxoplasmosis Definition
A parasitic disease caused by the protozoan Toxoplasma gondii, Toxoplasmosis infects most warm-blooded animals, including humans. This primary host of the disease however is the felid (cat) family. It is estimated that up to one third of the world's population carries a Toxoplasma infection.
Toxoplasmosis Diagnosis
Serological tests, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), histological demonstration of the parasite and/or its antigens, or isolation of the organism may establish the diagnosis of Toxoplasmosis. Analysis of infected tissue as well as blood tests are also conducted to diagnose the disease.
Toxoplasmosis Symptoms and Signs
Thought most primary infections produce no symptoms; the disease can affect the brain, lung, heart, eyes, or liver. Those with healthy immune systems may manifest enlarged lymph nodes in the head and neck, headache, mild illness with fever, sore throat, and muscle pain. Confusion, fever, headache, retinal inflammation causing blurred vision, and seizures may be found among immunosuppressed persons.
Toxoplasmosis Treatment
No treatment is required among those without symptoms. Treating the infection may include utilizing medications such as antimalarial drugs and antibiotics. If AIDS patients contract the disease, treatment should be continued for as long as their immune system is weak to prevent the disease from reactivating.