Toxoplasmosis (tok-so-plaz-MOE-sis) is a disease that results from infection with the Toxoplasma gondii parasite, one of the world’s most common parasites. Infection usually occurs by eating undercooked contaminated meat, exposure from infected cat feces, or mother-to-child transmission during pregnancy.
Where is toxoplasmosis found in the body?
Toxoplasma gondii has been found in the kidneys, bladder and intestine of infected humans. There have been rare cases of organ transplant recipients acquiring toxoplasmosis infection.
What are the symptoms of toxoplasmosis in humans?
Symptoms of toxoplasmosis
- Swollen lymph glands, especially around the neck.
- Muscle aches and pains.
- Headache.
- Fever.
- Generally feeling unwell.
- Inflammation of the lungs.
- Inflammation of the heart muscle.
- Inflammation of the eye, for example, the retina (at the back of the eye).
How do you get rid of toxoplasmosis?
If you have a weakened immune system, your doctor will treat you with a combination of drugs to kill the Toxoplasma parasite. The usual treatment of choice is pyrimethamine combined with sulfadiazine.
Is toxoplasmosis a virus?
Toxoplasmosis is an infection caused by a single-celled parasite called Toxoplasma gondii. While the parasite is found throughout the world, more than 40 million people in the United States may be infected with the Toxoplasma parasite.
How do you check for toxoplasmosis?
To find out if you have toxoplasmosis, your doctor can do a blood test to see if you have those antibodies. If you’ve been infected recently, your body may not have had time to make them. So even if your test doesn’t show any signs of them, your doctor may want to do another test a few weeks later to be sure.
What antibiotics treat toxoplasmosis?
The most commonly prescribed medications include:
- Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX), an antimalarial drug considered the most effective agent in treating an acute toxo infection.
- Sulfadiazine, an antibiotic drug used in combination with pyrimethamine.
What is the best treatment for toxoplasmosis?
Most healthy people recover from toxoplasmosis without treatment. Persons who are ill can be treated with a combination of drugs such as pyrimethamine and sulfadiazine, plus folinic acid.
Is toxoplasmosis curable during pregnancy?
The Toxoplasma infection can be treated during pregnancy with antibiotic medication. The earlier the infection is identified and treated, the greater the chance of preventing infection of the unborn child. If the child has already been infected, treatment can make the disease less severe.
Can toxoplasmosis be cured?
