What is Toxoplasma Gondii Toxoplasma gondii or T

What is Toxoplasma Gondii? Toxoplasma gondii or T. gondii is one of the worlds most common parasites. (1) More than 60 million people carry this parasite, but very few show any signs or symptoms. T. gondii is a unicellular protozoan responsible for the disease Toxoplasmosis. (2) The name Toxoplasma is derived from the shape of the organism. Toxon is Greek for “arc”. T. gondii has an amorphous amoeboid like body form and no flagellum or other motility structures. (1) T. gondii moves about by means of amoeboid motion. The structure of this protozoan is covered by a cell wall. This protects its plasma membrane that is filled with sub cellular cavities or alveoli. These cavities contain a mass of spores that help T. gondii invade host tissues. Toxoplasma gondii Taylor Sand Bio 1570 Oakland Community College – Highland Lakes Infected Fetus • Headache • Fever • Fatigue More serious case signs and symptoms would include: • Headache • Confusion • Seizures • Blurred Vision : http: //www. topnews. in/health/files/toxoplasmosis. jpg Treatments Healthy individuals can normally recover from Toxoplasmosis with the help of their immune system. People with altered immune systems can be treated with medication such as pyrimethamine and sulfadiazine. Even those who are treated for this parasite will not completely eliminate the parasite. The parasite, T. gondi, will remain dormant in the hosts tissues. Prevention References • Cook food to safe temperatures 1. http: //www. cdc. gov • Wash food thoroughly before eating 2. 2. http: //www. mayoclinic. com/health/toxoplas mosis • Practice proper hand washing techniques • Do not drink untreated water • Wear gloves when gardening • Change cat liter boxes often 3. 3. http: //www. medicinenet. com/toxoplasmosis/ article. html 4. 4. http: //microbewiki. kenyon. edu/index. php/To xoplasma_gondii 5. http: //www. accesscience. com 6. www. wikimicrobe. edu http: //www. musee-afrappier. qc. ca • Swollen Lymph Nodes T. gondii en. citizendium. org/wiki/Toxoplasma_gondii Signs & Symptoms • Body Aches Pregnant women who have a cat, eat undercooked meats, or do not practice proper hand washing run a higher risk of contracting the parasite T. gondii. If contracted, there are possibilities of this parasite causing pregnancy complications. The parasite could penetrate the placental barrier and be passed to the fetus. If this situation does occur the fetus is at risk for becoming the host for T. gondii and developing Toxoplasmosis. A fetus that contracts toxoplasmosis is said to have a “congenital toxoplasmosis” infection. This infection can affect the development of major organs, cause mental retardation, brain cysts, or even result in still born. Before a mother plans on conceiving, she should undergo routine blood work to determine if she does carry the parasite T. gondii. If so, the mother will need to consult her physician to assist her with future medical decisions. T. gondii is known for residing in warmblooded animals such as cats, rats, mice, and chickens. (1, 2) These animals contract the parasite by ingesting soil, water, or plant material contaminated with T. gondii. These animals become the main vehicle for the transmission of this parasite. Once the host acquires the parasite, T. gondii adheres to the hosts bowel where it sporulates and then later is passed through feces. (3) Once outside the host the feces becomes another potential vehicle for further infections. T. gondii can be introduced to a host through inhalation, ingesting, and improper hand washing. (1, 2, 3) In most cases there are no signs or symptoms displayed by people that are infected by T. gondii. For those that do display mild signs or symptoms the symptoms would include: *Caution*