Cats: The definitive host of Toxoplasma gondii (Causes of Toxoplasmosis)

Are you including to people whos like to keep an animals as pets? If so, it seems you need to pay a little attention on the fact that absolutely have to know. Behind the funny of pets that we have, often there are diseases that can endanger our health. As the disease which will be discussed at this time, Toxoplasmosis.

Toxoplasma or Toxoplasma gondii is a kind of single-cell animal which often called protozoa. The organism was first described in 1908 in Tunis by Nicolle and Manceaux within the tissues of the gundi (Ctenodactylus gundi). Toxoplasmosis is the name of the disease caused by this parasite and it could be infecting on animal and human. The definitive host of Toxoplasma gondii is the cat, but the parasite can be carried by all known mammals. In the same year it was also described in Brazil by Splendore in rabbits.

Who can be infected with toxoplasma? All people can be infected by toxoplasma. But it is usually not a problem for non-pregnant adults, who will simply feel like they have a mild flu. However, in the immuno-suppressed patient (such as a pregnant woman) or a newborn, it can cause serious illness, prematurity, miscarriage or death.

Any animal that can be infected with toxoplasma? Almost all warm-blooded animals can be infected with toxoplasma. Animals that are often around people like cats, cows, horses, mice, sheep, dogs, chickens, birds, pigs, etc, can also be infected with toxoplasma. Wild animals such as civet, tiger, hyena, etc, can also be infected with toxoplasma. Cats are the primary host of the Toxoplasma parasite. Cats then excrete the Toxoplasma pathogen in their feces, which can be transferred to humans through by hand-to-mouth contact. Although the pathogen has been detected on the fur of cats, it has not been found in an infectious form.

Source: Wikipedia