| − | Toxoplasmosis is a major concern for people with immune system dysfunction (eg, people infected with human immunodeficiency virus). In these individuals, toxoplasmosis usually presents as meningoencephalitis and results from the emergence of T gondii from tissue cysts located in the brain as immunity wanes rather than from primary T gondii infection. Toxoplasmosis is also a major concern for pregnant women because tachyzoites can migrate transplacentally and cause birth defects in human fetuses. Infection of women with T gondii may occur after ingestion of undercooked meat or accidental ingestion of oocysts from cat feces.
| + | Despite the various methods of transmission to man, and the high seroprevalence to ''Toxoplasma gondii'', the risk of developing clinical disease is low and is generally restricted to foetuses infected ''in utero'', and immunosuppressed patients such as those infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus. |