LIFE CYCLE
heteroxenous, 2 host life cycle
PPP
HOSTS
Cats
SYMPTOMS
Acute infection
• often asymptomatic in cats (may kills kittens?)
• humans have flu-like symptoms, usually full immunity develops
• sheep & goats – abortion!!! (tachyzoites in milk)
Subacute infection
• hosts humoral immunity develops slowly
• tachyzoitesproduce lesions in lung, liver, heart, brain, and eyes
Chronic infections
• Ab immune response depresses tachyzoites but cysts form from bradyzoites
• causes intense inflammation
• encephalitis
• retinal degeneration
• myocarditis
Congenital toxoplasmosis
infection during pregnancy can infect foetus
still birth, abortion, birth defects
hydrocephaly, microcephaly, blindness
TESTS
IgM serology
IgG serology
lymphonode biopsy, CSF, BAL other fluids → Diff Quick
Oocysts in the faeces → flotation / know the limits /
you need sexual phase)
PREVENTION
cook all meat thoroughly to at least 70 ºC
wash hands, utensils and surfaces carefully after handling raw meat
wash all vegetables carefully
wear gloves when gardening in soil potentially contaminated by cat faeces
empty cat litter trays daily, dispose of litter carefully and disinfect tray with
boiling water (if this is done every day, even if a cat is excreting oocysts, they will not havesporulated and therefore will not be infectious by the time the litter is changed)
discourage pet cats from hunting and avoid feeding raw/undercooked meat
cover any children's sandpits to prevent cats using them as a litter tray.
TREATMENT | 
