The pathogenic protozoan Toxoplasma gondii :: Essays Papers

The pathogenic protozoic Toxoplasma gondii behavior HistoryT. gondii is a parasite of warm blooded animals which is exhibit throughout the world. It is the causative agent of the diseases known as Toxoplasmosis.The organism exhibits a definitive protozoan lifestyle.The life cycle begins with an oocyst in the intestines of cats, the definitive armament of T. gondii. The oocyst contains bradyzoites or sporozoites. Oocysts enter prospective hosts through ingestion of cat faecal matter. Once inside a host, bradyzoites, after being released from the oocyst, infect the enteral mucosa. Within the host cell, tachyzoites rapidly divide, eventually rupturing the cell. The released tachyzoites spread throughout the host, ingeminate the lysis process or forming zoitocysts (which are, like oocysts, filled with bradyzoites) in host tissue. third weeks after infection, there are no longer tachyzoites present in the tissues. The cysts reenter the cycle when ingested by another host, unless th e host is a cat. In this case, oocysts allow be formed in the cats intestine and will be shed.Life Cycle IllustrationMicrobiological characteristicsT. gondii is a protozoan (eukaryote) which exists in several pellucid stages. GRAPHToxoplasmosis Most people who are infected with Toxoplasma gondii are asymptomatic. In some cases, the parasite may cause inflammation of the lymphatic system, yielding in flulike symptoms including fever and muscle aches. These symptoms can last for a month. In fewer cases, the infection results in more severe disease. T. gondii can infect the look and brain, often resulting in blindness and severe neurological disease. Neurological impose on _or_ oppress (encephalitis) occurs in children who contract the infection congenitally and in immunocompromised individuals. In immunocompromised individuals, encephalitis caused by toxoplasmosis progresses gradually. Patients may begin to experience headaches and dizziness, then keeping loss, degradation of motor skills, and sometimes coma and death. Congenital infections may result in spontaneous abortion or birth defects including ocular disablement and severe mental retardation. Epidemiological Data Toxoplasma gondii is common throughout the world. A CDC study from 2003 showed that in the United States in 1999-2000, 16% of the population recovered 12 to 49 years carried IgG antibodies against the parasite. The prevalence is higher in foreign-born U.S. residents.One in one thousand infants born in the U.S. expresses antibodies against T.