Toxoplasmosis - Symptoms & Treatment

Toxoplasmosis is an infection with the protozoan intracellular parasite Toxoplasma gondii. Toxoplasmosis is found in humans worldwide, and in many species of animals and birds.Human infection results from ingestion of contaminated soil, careless handling of cat litter, ingestion of raw or undercooked meat (lamb, pork, and beef), transmission from a mother to a fetus through the placenta (congenital infection), or by blood transfusion or solid organ transplantation. All animals and birds can be infected with the toxoplasmosis parasite. Cats are the definitive host of the parasite. Toxoplasma infection occurs By Contaminating food with knives, utensils, cutting boards and other foods that have had contact with raw meat and Drinking water contaminated with Toxoplasma. Pregnant women and individuals who have compromised immune systems should be cautious; for them, a Toxoplasma infection could cause serious health problems. Congenital toxoplasmosis is caused by infection with Toxoplasma gondii in a pregnant woman, with up to 50% of such infections transmitted to the fetus. The parasite enters the muscles of a bird or animal when it eats raw meat or drinks the milk of another animal that is infected.

Toxoplasmosis is frequent causes of retinochoroiditis in humans, with more than 60 percent of the United States population and up to 75 percent of the world's general population possessing some seropositive findings. Toxoplasma exists in humans in two forms: (1) actively motile tachyzoites and (2) encysted Toxoplasma gondii called brachyzoites.The oocysts that contain the organisms which produce infection are excreted in fecal material and may lie dormant in the soil until ingested by other animals, resulting in infection. In most cases, the body is primed for infection or toxoplasmosis reactivation by an immune system failure. This may occur following contraction of human immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV) or with medical immunosupression following organ transplantation. The inflammatory fundus lesions are composed of mononuclear cells, with a liberation of lymphocytes, macrophages, epithelioid and plasma cells. The resulting retinal vasculitis contributes to the breakdown of the blood-retinal barrier and leads to a compromise in retinal function, with subsequent destruction and thickening.

Causes of Toxoplasmosis

Common causes of Toxoplasmosis

• Undercooked meat.
• Contaminated soil.
• Protozoan T gondii
• Careless handling of cat litter.
• Malaria.
• Ingestion of raw.
• Congenital infection.
• Blood transfusion.
• Solid organ transplantation

Symptoms of Toxoplasmosis

Common Symptoms of Toxoplasmosis

• Mononucleosis
• Enlarged lymph nodes.
• Headache.
• Sore throat.
• Muscle pain.
• Fever.
• Psychomotor
• Learning disorders.
• Jaundice.
• Anemia

Treatment of Toxoplasmosis

Common Treatment of Toxoplasmosis

• Wear gloves when you garden or do anything outdoors that involves handling soil.
• Wash your hands well with soap and water after outdoor activities, especially before you eat or prepare any food.
• When preparing raw meat, wash any cutting boards, sinks, knives, and other utensils that might have touched the raw meat thoroughly with soap and hot water to avoid cross-contaminating other foods.
• Atovaquone has been used to kill Toxoplasma cysts in situ in AIDS patients
• In mice, a combination of atovaquone with clindamycin seemed to optimally kill cysts
• Medications to treat the infection include: pyrimethamine, sulfonamide drugs, folinic acid, clindamycin, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole.
• Pregnant women should have their blood examined for Toxoplasma antibody.

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