Toxoplasma Flashcards
(28 cards)
what type of lifecycle does toxoplasma have
falcultative direct/indirect
how does toxoplasma infection spread
ingestion of tissue cysts
ingestion of sporulated ocysts
for ALL HOSTS!!!
how many sporocysts and sporozoites does toxoplasma have?
2 sporocytes w 4 sporozoites
what is the only host where sexual multiplication occurs for toxoplasma?
CATS!
where does sexual replication occur in toxoplasma
small intestine
how does toxoplasma replicate in other hosts
asexual replication in CNS and edible tissues
intestinal phase
behaves like other coccidia (sexual and asexual replication)
oocysts in stool
diarrhea, soft stool, no specific clinical signs
tissue phase
asexual replication
respiratory disease: sneezing**, light cough
lymphadenopathy: tachyzoites in lymph nodes
how clinical disease presents in dogs toxoplasma
neurologic disease, lymphadenopathy, respiratory complaint
Are Ewes at risk with first exposure toxoplasma while pregnant
YES
t/f ewes are protected from abortion in subsequent pregnancies if had prior toxoplasma infection
true
do goats abort from toxoplasma over multiple pregnancies
YES
t/f toxoplasma is unequiovally zoonotic
true
how are people and other IH infected with toxoplasma
most tissue stages, but also oocysts
how can toxoplasma affect fetus?
congenital birth defects or abortion when mother acquires primary infection during pregnancy
t/f toxoplasma will not come out of latency for HIV and other immunocompromised
false, WILL come out of latency
cause of mortality
congenital toxoplasma
90% infected babies appear normal at birth
55-85% develop problems months-years later
-eye infections that may affect eyesight
-hearing loss and learning disabilities
1st trimester toxoplasma effects
abortion or serious congenital birth defects
2nd/3rd trimester toxoplasma effects
mild retardation, blindness, etc
how to diagnose toxoplasma
fecal exam to find oocysts
serologic testing (ELISA)
PCR
can toxoplasma cause changes in people? what kinds?
yes
behavioral, personality, psychological
t/f there is increased risk of toxoplasma with cat ownership
FALSE!!
treatment should not be based on this
pregnant woman recommendations
women tested prior to becoming pregnant, and yearly
eat all meat well cooked
wash all fruits and vegetables
avoid gardening/soil activities
rigorous handwashing and food hygiene
recommendations cat related
household cats should be tested
cat litterboxes need to dumped daily
