What is Toxoplasmosis

Toxoplasmosis is an infection that is caused by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii. The parasite lives in animals and humans. Toxoplasmosis is most commonly spread through cat feces and undercooked meat.

What are the causes?

This condition may be caused by:

• Having contact with infected cat feces and passing the parasite from hands to mouth. This can also happen by accidentally ingesting anything that came in contact with the infected cat feces, such as drinking water or unwashed fruits and vegetables grown in a garden.
  • House cats that live on cat food generally do not carry the parasite (are not infectious).
  • Outdoor cats who hunt for their food can be infectious. The parasite is often found in birds, rodents, and other small animals that cats hunt.
• Eating undercooked meat from an infected animal. This can also occur by using knives, cutting boards, or other utensils that have had contact with undercooked or raw, contaminated meat.
• Handling undercooked meat from an infected animal and passing the parasite from hands to mouth.
• A pregnant mother passing the infection to her baby.
• Receiving a donated organ (organ transplantation) or donated blood (transfusion) from someone with the infection.

What increases the risk?

People with a weak disease-fighting system (immune system) have a higher risk of developing a toxoplasmosis infection, especially a more serious or life-threatening toxoplasmosis infection. A weak immune system may be caused by:

• HIV or AIDS.
• Organ or bone marrow transplants.
• Cancer of the blood or bone marrow.
• Medicines that lessen the strength of the immune system (immunosuppressive drugs).
• Medicines to treat cancer (chemotherapy drugs).

Babies who are born to mothers infected with the parasite are also more likely to develop a toxoplasmosis infection.

What are the signs or symptoms?

Most people have no symptoms at all. Those who have symptoms usually feel like they have the flu. Symptoms can include:

• Swollen lymph nodes.
• Fever, chills, or sweats.
• Headache.
• Muscle and joint aches.
• Fatigue.
• Sore throat.
• Nausea.
• Abdominal pain.
• Loss of appetite.
• Mild rash.
• Enlarged spleen or liver.
• Blurred vision, seeing spots, and sensitivity to bright light.

People with a weak immune system may also develop more serious and possibly life-threatening symptoms. These symptoms may include:

• Jerky movements that you cannot control (seizures).
• Confusion or memory loss.
• Poor coordination.
• Fever.
• Coughing.
• Shortness of breath.
• Chest pain.
• Abnormal heartbeat.
• Fatigue.
• Loss of consciousness.

How is this diagnosed?

This condition may be diagnosed based on:

• Blood tests.
• Tissue samples (biopsies).
• Amniocentesis. This is a procedure that involves passing a tiny needle through a pregnant woman’s abdomen into the uterus to collect amniotic fluid. This fluid can be checked for signs of toxoplasmosis infection.
• CT scan.
• MRI.
• Chest X-rays.

How is this treated?

Treatment depends on the severity of your symptoms and other medical conditions that you may have. You may not need treatment, or your treatment may include:

• Medicines to kill the parasite (antiparasitics). You may need supplements to help protect bone marrow from the antiparasitic medicines. If you are pregnant, your baby may need to take similar medicines and supplements.
• Medicines to help your eyes or eyesight.

People with poor immune function may require long-term or permanent treatment for toxoplasmosis.

Follow these instructions at home:

• Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider. This includes any supplements.
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important.

How is this prevented?

• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water before and after preparing or cooking food:
• Cook all meat thoroughly before eating it.
  • Cook all poultry, such as chicken and turkey, to 165°F (74°C) or higher.
  • Cook non-poultry ground meat to 160°F (71°C) or higher.
  • Cook whole cuts of non-poultry meat to 145°F (63°C) or higher.
• Wash fruits and vegetables before eating them.
• Wash kitchen utensils and cutting boards thoroughly after each use.
• Do not drink unpasteurized milk.
• Avoid drinking untreated water.
• Avoid outdoor or stray cats.
• If you have a cat:
  • Keep your cat indoors.
  • Feed your cat only store-bought foods, and maintain your cat’s health.
  • Always wash your hands after cleaning your cat’s litter box.
  • If you are pregnant, avoid cleaning your cat’s litter box. Ask someone to do this for you.
• If you have a weak immune system and you have a cat, wear gloves and a face mask when cleaning a cat litter box, or have someone clean the litter box for you.
• If you have a weak immune system, your health care provider may prescribe medicine to prevent a toxoplasmosis infection.
• Wear gloves when you handle soil or work in your garden. Wash your hands thoroughly after gardening.
• Cover your child’s sandbox, if applicable. This helps prevent cats from using the sandbox like a litter box.

Contact a health care provider if:

• You have a fever.
• You have muscle aches or pains that last for several weeks.
• You feel like you have the flu or have swollen lymph nodes in your neck.

Get help right away if:

• You feel confused.
• You have vision changes.
• You have seizures.
• You are pregnant and have any swollen glands or lymph nodes.
• You have a headache that will not go away, even with medicine.
• You have shortness of breath.
• You have chest pain.
• You lose consciousness or you faint.

Summary

• Toxoplasmosis is an infection that is caused by a parasite.
• This condition may be caused by having contact with infected cat feces, eating or handling undercooked meat, or receiving an organ or blood donation from an infected person. A pregnant woman may also pass the infection to her baby.
• Most people with this condition do not have any symptoms. Those who have symptoms usually feel like they have the flu.
• People with a weak disease-fighting system (immune system) have a higher risk of developing a toxoplasmosis infection.
• This condition is usually treated with medicines to kill the parasite (antiparasitics),supplements to protect your bone marrow from the antiparasitic medicines, and medicines to help your eyes.