Course

Scientific Session 304-116-14: Toxoplasmosis: Epidemiology and Diagnostic Considerations for Medical Laboratory Scientists

Program Area: Microbiology
Level of Instruction: Intermediate
Contact Hours: 1.0
 

Description: Toxoplasmosis gondii is an obligate intercellular parasite that infects a wide variety of warm blooded mammals and birds. Cats are the only known host where sexual multiplications occurs and results in the dissemination of large quantities of oocysts (egg-like structures), often in the millions, into the envioronment where they are capable of infecting all types of warm-blooded animals (wildlife, companion animals, domestic livestock), including people. Once infected, these "intermediate hosts" unwittingly contribute to the maintenance and perpetuation of T. gondii infection in host populations when the parasite multiplies asexually in the tissues. People become infected with T. gondii by ingesting oocysts shed by cats into the enviornment, or by consumption of the infected meat products of domestic food animals and wildlife. The spectrum of disease produced by T. gondii ranges from clinically unapparent, to severe with neurologic impairment and death. All females (animals and people alike) are at risk for congenitally infecting their offspring when they acquire the parasite for the first time during pregnancy. Accurate serologic diagnosis of patients with suspected toxoplasmosis is necessary to rpovide physicians with information to prescribe approrpiate chemotherapeutic intervention for improving the health of the patient, and perhaps, the unborn child.

Course handouts can be downloaded from the link at the bottom of the page.