Toxoplasmosis—A Zoonotic Threat to Human Beings

Abstract

Toxoplasmosis is a congenital as well as postnatally acquired zoonosis characterized by retinochoroiditis and encephalitis. It causes abortion in pregnant women. Mostly it affects immune compromised individuals particularly very young and very old women. The major sources of human infection are ingestion of raw or lightly cooked meat containing live Toxoplasma gondii tissue cysts and ingestion of raw or lightly cooked vegetables contaminated with oocysts or exposure to oocysts derived from cat faeces. Feral cats are recognized as a significant reservoir whereas sheep and goats are the main nonfeline reservoir. The occurrence and prevention of this disease in animals and human are narrated in the article.

Keywords: Toxoplasmosis, zoonosis, abortion, women

Cite this Article

Areshkumar M, DivyaS, Yasotha A. Toxoplasmosis—A Zoonotic Threat to Human Beings. Research & Reviews: Journal of Veterinary Science and Technology. 2018; 7(2): 16–19p