Toxoplasma gondii
Feline-spread brain parasite
Toxoplasma gondii is a single-celled parasite that infects most warm-blooded animals, with cats as its primary host.
It causes toxoplasmosis, usually mild or symptomless in healthy adults but dangerous to fetuses and immunocompromised individuals.
The parasite has drawn interest for its apparent ability to alter host behavior—infected rodents lose their fear of cats, facilitating the parasite's transmission.
Pregnant women are advised to avoid cat litter boxes for this reason.
Small furry housepet
- litter boxIndoor pet waste receptacle
- fecesSolid digestive waste
- sheddingLosing outer covering
- huntingPursuing wild game
rodent · prey · outdoor cat · stray · feral · litter · grooming · mouser
Unicellular eukaryotic life form
- cystFluid-filled tissue sac
- intracellularWithin cell membranes
- obligateCommit by necessity
- apicomplexaParasitic protozoan phylum
Existing from birth
- immunocompromisedReduced ability to fight infection
- AIDSImmune deficiency syndrome
- encephalitisInflammatory brain condition
- hydrocephalusAbnormal cranial fluid buildup
calcifications · ocular · cerebral · disseminated · asymptomatic · avidity · serology · amniocentesis
Alterations in conduct
- schizophreniaPsychotic disorder with delusions
- dopamineReward-linked neural messenger
- risk-takingAccepting possible harm
- encephalitisInflammatory brain condition
seizures · cognitive impairment · psychosis · fatal attraction · manipulation · neuromodulation · gray matter
Crossing the placental barrier
- fetalOf the unborn
- miscarriagePregnancy lost naturally
- stillbirthLate-term pregnancy loss
- birth defectsAbnormalities present from delivery
prenatal screening · trimester · gestation · amniocentesis · prevention · raw meat · undercooked
Spread via consumed items
- raw meatAnimal tissue, unheated
- undercookedInsufficiently heated through
- cured meatSalt-preserved animal protein
- unwashed produceFood not yet cleaned
contaminated water · garden soil · sandpit · cross-contamination · food safety · hygiene · handwashing · freezing
Forming hardy reproductive cells
- ingestionConsuming into the body
- fecal-oralTransmission via ingested waste
- transplacentalCrossing the placental barrier
- reactivationRestoring to function
cat
Small furry housepet
- litter boxIndoor pet waste receptacle
- fecesSolid digestive waste
- sheddingLosing outer covering
hunting · rodent · prey · outdoor cat · stray · feral · litter · grooming · mouser
protozoan
Unicellular eukaryotic life form
- cystFluid-filled tissue sac
- intracellularWithin cell membranes
- obligateCommit by necessity
congenital
Existing from birth
- immunocompromisedReduced ability to fight infection
- AIDSImmune deficiency syndrome
- encephalitisInflammatory brain condition
hydrocephalus · calcifications · ocular · cerebral · disseminated · asymptomatic · avidity · serology · amniocentesis
behavioral changes
Alterations in conduct
- schizophreniaPsychotic disorder with delusions
- dopamineReward-linked neural messenger
- risk-takingAccepting possible harm
encephalitis · seizures · cognitive impairment · psychosis · fatal attraction · manipulation · neuromodulation · gray matter
transplacental
Crossing the placental barrier
- fetalOf the unborn
- miscarriagePregnancy lost naturally
- stillbirthLate-term pregnancy loss
birth defects · prenatal screening · trimester · gestation · amniocentesis · prevention · raw meat · undercooked
foodborne
Spread via consumed items
- raw meatAnimal tissue, unheated
- undercookedInsufficiently heated through
- cured meatSalt-preserved animal protein
unwashed produce · contaminated water · garden soil · sandpit · cross-contamination · food safety · hygiene · handwashing · freezing · prevention
sporulation
Forming hardy reproductive cells
- ingestionConsuming into the body
- fecal-oralTransmission via ingested waste
- transplacentalCrossing the placental barrier
reactivation · latent · chronic · acute
- Pathogenspathogen, germ, germs, bacteria, bacterium
- brain parasitesbrain parasites, brain worm, brain-eating amoeba, neurocysticercosis, pork tapeworm
- Blood ParasitesBabesia, Trypanosoma brucei, Trypanosoma cruzi
Toxoplasma gondiiinfluenza virus
Pathogen causing seasonal respiratory illness
SARS-CoV-2 · HIV · bacteriophage · prion · bacteria
Toxoplasma gondiimutualist
Partner in mutual benefit
Lactobacillus · Bifidobacterium · beneficial bacteria · probiotic · symbiont