What is Toxoplasma gondii?
Q: What is Toxoplasma gondii?
A: Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan parasite that can infect almost all warm-blooded animals, including humans.
Q: How common is it in humans?
A: Blood tests show that up to a third of the world population has been or is infected with T. gondii. Infection rates differ greatly from country to country.
Q: What are the symptoms of infection in healthy human adults?
A: Generally, infection with T. gondii produces no symptoms in healthy human adults, although mild flu-like symptoms may occasionally occur during the first few weeks.
Q: Who is at risk for serious illness due to infection?
A: Infants, HIV/AIDS patients, and others with weakened immunity are at risk for serious and potentially fatal illness (toxoplasmosis).
Q: How can humans become infected by T. gondii?
A: Humans can become infected by eating raw or undercooked meat containing T. gondii tissue cysts; drinking water or eating anything contaminated with oocysts; contact with faeces from an infected animal; through a blood transfusion or organ transplant; or by transmission from mother to foetus across the placenta.
Q: In which animals does the parasite sexually reproduce?
A: The parasite can only sexually reproduce in the intestines of members of the cat family (felids).
