Toxoplasmosis

What is toxoplasmosis andwhat causes it?
Toxoplasmosis(tox-ooh-plasmoe-sis) is a disease caused by amicroscopic protozoal parasite called
Toxoplasma gondii (tox-ooh-plasma gon-dee-eye). The organism has
a complex life cycle. Toxoplasmosis
occurs worldwide.

What animals gettoxoplasmosis?
Many animal species can gettoxoplasmosis. Cats are required forthe life cycle of the organism. Infection
is most common in cats, sheep, goats,and swine. Cattle seem to relatively
resistant. Dogs can also be infected.

How can my animal gettoxoplasmosis?
Toxoplasma gondii oocysts (eggs)
are shed in the feces of infected cats.
These eggs are then incidentally
ingested (oral) by other animals,
either through grazing or eatingsmaller mammals (e.g., when catshunt small rodents). The protozoa canalso be transmitted during pregnancy
thereby infecting the unborn fetus.

Can I get toxoplasmosis?
Yes. People can get toxoplasmosis
by ingesting (oral) Toxoplasma gondii
from fecally contaminated (unwashedraw) vegetables or under cooked
meat. It can also be spread by contact
with feces from an infected cat.
Disease is rare in people who arehealthy. The greatest risk is to thosewith weakened immune systems (e..g.,persons with HIV/AIDS or pregnantwomen).
Symptoms begin with mild, flu-likesigns (fever, body aches, headache,sore throat). Severe disease can occur
if the protozoan invades the muscles,nervous system, heart, lungs or eye.
The organism can cause abortion orbirth defects in pregnant women. It
can cause brain infection and deathin persons with AIDS.

Who should I contact, if I
suspect toxoplasmosis?

In Animals –Contact your veterinarian.
In Humans –Contact your physician.

Keep cats indoors to prevent
them from becoming infectedor from shedding oocysts into
the environment. They should be
especially kept out of livestock areas.
Feed animals commercially preparedfoods. Raw or under cooked meats
should not be fed. Do not allow cat tohunt or eat wild rodents or birds.

How can I protect myself
from toxoplasmosis?
The risk of infection can be reduced
by proper food preparation. Meats
should be thoroughly cooked. Goodhygiene is also important. Wash fruits
and vegetables before eating them.
Avoid cross contamination of foods
and utensils in the kitchen. Wash items
that contact meat or meat juices inhot, soapy water. Wear gloves whilegardening. Change the litter box
daily. Always wash your hands after
contact with any animal. Pregnant
women and immunocompromised
individuals should avoid cleaning cat
litter if possible.

For More Information

How does toxoplasmosis
affect my animal?
Mostanimals
thathavetoxoplasmosis show no signs ofillness. Disease is most often seen andthe most severe in young animals,
such as puppies or kittens. In adultanimals, particularly sheep, the mostcommonly noted sign is abortion.
Cats may have signs of pneumonia
or damage to the nervous system oreyes. Affected dogs may show signsof encephalitis, such as seizures, headtilt, tremors, or paralysis.

How can I protect my animal
from toxoplasmosis?

CFSPH Technical Fact Sheet. Toxoplasmosis
at http://www.cfsph.iastate.edu/DiseaseInfo/default.htm
CDC website Toxoplasmosis at http://www.
cdc.gov/parasites/toxoplasmosis/

Toxoplasmosis

is a protozoan
shed in cat feces that canbe spread to humans by avariety of ways.
Photos (counterclockwise) a cat, Toxoplasma
oocysts, cyst, and potential ingestion sources raw
or under-cooked meat or unwashed vegetables.

© 2013