toxoplasmosis

toxoplasmosis An infection caused by a singlecelled parasite called Toxoplasma gondii that can invade and damage tissues. Toxoplasmosis can be contracted by touching the hands to the mouth after gardening, cleaning a cat’s litter box, or anything that has come into contact with cat feces. Toxoplasmosis can also be contracted by eating contaminated raw or partly cooked meat, especially pork or lamb, or touching the hands to the mouth after contact with contaminated raw or undercooked meat. Of those who are infected, very few have symptoms because a healthy person’s immune system prevents illness from developing. Persons with a weakened immune system are at risk for developing severe cases of toxoplasmosis. The symptoms are similar to those of flu: fever, fatigue, headache, swollen lymph glands (lymphadenopathy), and muscle aches and pains (myalgia) that may last for a few days to several weeks. Toxoplasmosis is a well-known teratogen (an agent that can cause birth defects). If a pregnant woman is infected, the parasite can cross the placenta to the baby, with sometimes catastrophic consequences. Children born with toxoplasmosis (congenital toxoplasmosis) can have mental retardation, convulsions (epilepsy), spasticity, cerebral palsy, and partial or complete deafness and blindness. Also known as simply toxo.