The condition of toxoplasmosis is evoked by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii. The first organ that is affected first is the intestines; the lymph nodes go next. The latter have a tendency to swell and become tender. The whole condition is accompanied by fever, headaches, muscle pain, and anemia. Another severe consequence of toxoplasmosis is eye infection that can lead to blindness.

Toxoplasma gondii was the reason of infection of more than 60 million people. This parasite can be found commonly in cats’ digestive system and through their feces is transmitted. It does not make any considerable difference whether a cat is well-taken care of, cleaned and properly fed as it still represents a danger if it hunts. Cockroaches are able to infect a cat as well as flies, as household cats like to hunt and play with them so much. It will take only a several days for an infected cat to pass the infection. Moreover, people are frequently very negligent in the questions of hygiene and do not seem aware of the importance of rubber gloves while cleaning the litter tray. Noting is better for an infection as bare hands. Other possible ways of infecting are raw or undercooked meat, unpasteurized milk (especially goat’s one), sometimes fresh vegetables and fruits, and contaminated soil. People living in rural areas should also know that the sheep are also affected by this parasitic infection therefore certain preventive measures should be taken.

Toxoplasmosis can be congenital when an infected mother transmits the infection to her fetus while being pregnant. Parasites invade and infect by crossing the placental barrier. It is, therefore, frequent that neonates do not show any symptoms. The infection is very severe for a fetus as it is able to cause stillbirth or abortion, and evoke birth defects as well.

Therefore it is very important that pregnant women have nothing to do with cat litter boxes or anything concerning intestinal messes. Food (especially undercooked or raw meat) should be handled properly and hands are always washed. Fruit and vegetables should also be rightly washed and cleaned; unpasteurized products – crossed out of the diet, and cats kept safe away from children’s sandboxes. All the gardening activities should be carried out with care with consequent hygiene rules followed.

Toxoplasmosis is diagnosed by biopsy or by the presentation of a specific antibody for the organism. A combination of pyrimethamine and clindamycin (antibiotic) is usually prescribed as a treatment for the condition and it is considered a very effective one. Instead of clindamycin spiramycin and sulfadiazine can be used as well as folinic acid supplementation. Pyrimethamine has got its adverse effects (i.e. low numbers of platelets and or white blood cells) but they are easily relieved if a treatment is properly coordinated. It is very important to know that the condition of toxoplasmosis can be very dangerous for a person with weakened immune system. Such people require treatment in the first place as neglect can be fraught with such consequences as abnormalities and death.