Toxoplasmosis - Human

• 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