Toxoplasma facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Toxoplasma gondii |
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| T. gondii tachyzoites | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | |
| Phylum: | |
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| Order: |
Eucoccidiorida
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| Family: |
Sarcocystidae
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| Genus: |
Toxoplasma
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| Binomial name | |
| Toxoplasma gondii |
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Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan parasite that can infect almost all warm-blooded animals, including humans.
In humans, it is one of the most common parasites. Blood test 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.
Although mild, flu-like symptoms occasionally occur during the first few weeks, infection with T. gondii generally produces no symptoms in healthy human adults. But in infants, HIV/AIDS patients, and others with weakened immunity, infection can cause serious and occasionally fatal illness (toxoplasmosis).p77
Infection in humans and other warm-blooded animals can occur
- by eating raw or undercooked meat containing T. gondii tissue cysts.
- by drinking water or eating anything contaminated with oocysts. in the faeces of an infected animal.
- from a blood transfusion or organ transplant
- or by transmission from mother to foetus across the placenta.
The parasite can only sexually reproduce in the intestines of members of the cat family (felids). Felids are therefore the definitive hosts of T. gondii, with all other hosts defined as 'intermediate hosts'.
Images for kids
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Dividing T. gondii parasites
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Diagram of T. gondii structure
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Lifecycle of Toxoplasma gondii
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T. gondii oocysts in a fecal flotation
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T. gondii tissue cyst in a mouse brain, individual bradyzoites can be seen within
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An unstained T. gondii tissue cyst, bradyzoites can be seen within
See also
In Spanish: Toxoplasma gondii para niños
