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TOXOPLASMOSIS
TOXOPLASMOSIS
INTRODUCTION
Toxoplasma is a zoonotic disease which affects nearly all
warm blooded animals and man.
It affects reproductive system, nervous system, skeletal
muscles and eyes.
DISTRIBUTION
Toxoplasma was for the first time discovered in 1908 by
Nicolle and Manceaux from africa rodent(Ctenodactylus
gondii).
The parasite is world wide in distribution but the
incidence is more in warm, moist climates than cold, dry
climates.
ETIOLOGY
The disease is caused by parasite known as Toxoplasma
gondii.
Toxoplasma gondii are found in three forms
i)Tachyzoites
ii)Cyst form
iii)Sporulated oocyst
Sporulated oocyst
women sporogony on
Through food
and water ground
congenital
Infection
to foetus Intermediate
Cysts in tissues of host(cattle,pig,shee
intermediate host p,buffalo,goat,poul
try.
MODE OF TRANSMISSION
i)Through cat: the cat is the only definitive host of the
parasite. Infected cats shed large number of oocysts in
the faeces. Stray cats contaminate the soils around
human habitations and thus play a vital role in the
transmission of toxoplasmosis.
ii)Meat and meat products :
Consumption of raw or undercooked meat or meat
products containing the tissue cysts is an important
source of toxoplasma infection .The cysts perist in the
heart and brain for years and those meat remain as
infectious to all species.
iii) Congenital infection :
Transplacental infection has been reported.
Other methods:
b)Placenta in uterus.
c)organ transplantation
CLINICAL FINDINGS
Cat :
Fever, bilirubinaemia
Lymphadenitis
Dyspnoea
Anaemia
Iritis
Encephalitis
Intestinal obstruction
Dog :
Asymptomatic. Lesions involve lungs and central
nervous system.
Contureent toxoplasmosis and distemper is common.
Pigs:
Chorioretinitis
Abortion in female
Hydrocephalus
Microcephalus condition.
These may be some afterbirth delayed manifestations
characterised by congenital cataract, chorioretinitis,
anaemia and mental retardation.
DIAGNOSIS
Clinical signs are non-specific and the organism is
difficult to demonstrate. Therefore diagnosisin man and
animals is accomplished by serological tests.
a)Isolation of T.gondii: parasites can be demonstrated
from lymph fluid, placenta, cotyledons and muscles.
b)Methylene blue dye test.
IFA
c)control by immunization.
a)Epidemiological control
i)Avoidance of exposure to cat
A)congenital toxoplasmosis.