Toxoplasmosis - Human

Revision as of 23:14, 9 April 2010 by Bara (talk | contribs) (Created page with '*Humans **Mostly asymptomatic **Virulent strains cause flu-like symptoms, malaise and/or lymphadenopathy **In immunodeficient patients, disease can even be caused by avirulent st…')

(diff) ← Older revision | Approved revision (diff) | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)

  • Humans
    • Mostly asymptomatic
    • Virulent strains cause flu-like symptoms, malaise and/or lymphadenopathy
    • In immunodeficient patients, disease can even be caused by avirulent strains
    • If a non-immune women is infected during pregnancy, abortion or the birth of a congenitally infected child can result
      • E.g. Hydrocephalus, opthalmitis, mental retardation
  • Human
    • 30% seropositive in UK, 70% seropositive in France

Prevention

    • Avoid oocyst ingestion
      • Wash potentially contaminated raw food thoroughly
      • Wash hands after gardening or handling cats and especially before eating
      • Clean out cat litter trays every day before oocysts sporulate
    • Avoid ingestion of tissue cysts
      • Do not eat undercooked meat
      • Wash hands after handling raw meat
      • Take care when lambing or dealing with sheep abortions and stillbirths
      • Pregnant women should avoid lambing altogether