Toxoplasmosis is caused by the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii. In the United States it is estimated that
11% of the population 6 years and older have been infected with Toxoplasma
. In various places throughout the world, it has been shown that more than 60% of some populations have been infected with Toxoplasma.
Can toxoplasmosis be cured in humans?
Many congenital toxoplasmosis cases can be cured with medications
. Even children who had severe infections at birth may never show signs of severe long-term damage if they are diagnosed and treated early. Delays in diagnosis and treatment can contribute to a poor prognosis.
Can toxoplasmosis affect humans?
Untreated, these infections can lead to blindness. But if your immune system is weakened, especially as a result of HIV / AIDS , toxoplasmosis can lead
to seizures and life-threatening illnesses
such as encephalitis — a serious brain infection. In people with AIDS , untreated encephalitis from toxoplasmosis is fatal.
Does toxoplasmosis ever go away?
Once a diagnosis of toxoplasmosis is confirmed, you and your health care provider can discuss whether treatment is necessary. In an otherwise healthy person who is not pregnant, treatment usually is not needed. If symptoms occur, they
typically go away within a few weeks to months
.
What are the long term effects of toxoplasmosis?
The long-term or chronic effects of the infection result
when the cysts spread to the brain and muscle cells
. The cysts, which can stay in the body as long as the person lives, can rupture and cause severe illness including damage to the brain, eyes and other organs.
Can you go blind from toxoplasmosis?
If you have a normal immune system, you’re not likely to experience complications of toxoplasmosis, although otherwise healthy people sometimes develop eye infections. Untreated,
these infections can lead to blindness
.
Does your body clear toxoplasmosis?
When illness occurs, it is usually mild with “flu-like” symptoms (e.g., tender lymph nodes, muscle aches, etc.) that last for weeks to months and then go away. However,
the parasite remains in the person’s body in an inactive state
. It can become reactivated if the person becomes immunosuppressed.
How long does the toxoplasmosis parasite live?
Once infected, the cat can shed the parasite in the feces for up to two weeks. Toxoplasma gondii eggs can live in cat feces or buried in soil for
up to 18 months
.
Can toxoplasmosis cause mental illness?
As research has shown, Toxoplasmosis could be related to developing a
psychotic disorder
or alternatively Toxoplasmosis could cause psychotic symptoms by affecting similar brain regions and clinical manifestations might mimic a disorder like schizophrenia [4]. Schizophrenia may well be a syndrome with many forms.
Can you get toxoplasmosis from breathing in cat litter?
As the cat feces dry, the oocysts may become aerosolized.
They can thus be inhaled by a person changing cat litter
or just walking in an area where cats have defecated. An outbreak of toxoplasmosis among patrons of a riding stable was thought to have occurred in this manner.
How long is treatment for toxoplasmosis?
Treatment is recommended for at least
4 to 6 weeks beyond resolution
of all clinical signs and symptoms, but may be required for 6 months or longer.
Can toxoplasmosis affect your eyes?
A toxoplasmosis infection that affects the eye usually
attacks the retina
and initially resolves without symptoms. However, the inactive parasite may later reactivate causing eye pain, blurred vision, and possibly permanent damage, including blindness.
How can you be immune to toxoplasmosis?
You can become immune to toxoplasmosis. When the parasite infects healthy individuals, your immune system will usually fight against the parasite and keep it from causing any serious symptoms. If you have a parasite that your immune system is
keeping at bay
, then generally you are immune to further infection.
Do all cat owners have toxoplasmosis?
Only cats and other members of the cat family shed Toxoplasma in their feces
. Cats may shed the parasite in their feces for 7-21 days the first time they get infected with Toxoplasma. If they are allowed outside, pet cats can get infected when they catch and eat wild animals.
How do they test for toxoplasmosis in humans?
The diagnosis of toxoplasmosis is typically made by serologic testing. A test that
measures immunoglobulin G (IgG)
is used to determine if a person has been infected.
What happens if toxoplasmosis is not treated?
What can happen to you if you are not treated for toxoplasmosis?
Severe cases can affect the brain, lungs, eyes, heart, or liver
. Infection can spread to the baby during pregnancy, labor, or birth. For the mother, the toxoplasmosis infection is often mild.
