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Toxoplasma gondii
Protozoa

Class Sporozoa
Order Coccidia
Toxoplasma gondii

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Definitive host : Felidae ( domestic

& wild cats)
Human, mammals and birds
intermediate host
causal agent of Toxoplasmosis

Cosmopolitan distribution

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Prevalence of toxoplasmosis
Sero-prevalence in humans in Indonesia (
S. Gandahusada, 1999):
2 63 % , and increases with age
Pregnant woman is 14.3%
50 women with abortion: 67.8 %
Children with chorio-retinitis : 60 %
in hydrocephalic children is 10.6%;
in children with mental retardation, 44.6%;

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Prevalence of Toxoplasmosis
USA: 1249 years of age in 19992 000, IgG
antibody prevalence of 15.8%
Malaysia : A total of 200 pregnant women :
was found to be 39% for anti-Toxoplasma
IgG, 4% for IgM and 6% both anti-T
oxoplasma IgG and IgM antibodies. ( V.
Nissapatorn, 2003)
Libya : 474 non pregnant women :
prevalance rate of toxoplasmosis 18-14%
. (A . M. Abu Setta and R. H. Yamani ,
2008)
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Prevalence of Toxoplasmosis
India : 33 % of 100 women with bad
obstetry history (Low Socio-economic
Group) and 22.0% of 136 women of High
Socio economic Group were positive for
Toxoplasma specific IgG antibodies (P
Yasodhara, BA Ramalakshmi, V Lakshmi,
TP Krishna, 2004)

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Morphology
There are 5 stages of T. gondii :
Takhizoites
Bradizoites
Gametocyte
Oocyst
Sporozoite

intermediate host
definitive host

Asexual and sexual multiplication occurs

in mucosal epithelial of small intestine
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Tachyzoite in peritoneal
fluid

Bradyzoite in brain

sporocyst
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Life
cycle

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Morphology (contd)
Trophozoite are approximately 4-8 m
long and 2-3 m wide
a tapered anterior end and a blunt
posterior end with a large nucleus.
Multiplication by endodyogeny.

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Mode of
infection

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Pathogenesis
Acute stage : Ingested oocysts release
sporozoites into the gastrointestinal tract
and enter the cell
tachyzoites that disemminate through the
blood and lymphatic system
Chronic stage : tachyzoite tissue phase
that develops within a host
bradyzoite : tissue cyst formation within
the brain, skeletal muscle, and liver
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Clinical features
Acquired toxoplasmosis
generally an asymptomatic infection (in
immuno-competent persons)
10% - 20% of patients with acute infection
: lymphadenopathy and/or a flu-like illness
( the most common).
Symptoms are self limiting
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Acquired toxoplasmosis
In immuno compromised persons:
often have central nervous system (CNS)
symptoms. In patients with AIDS :
toxoplasmic encephalitis >>
may have retinochoroiditis, pneumonitis, or
other systemic disease.

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Congenital toxoplasmosis (contd)

>>> have no symptoms at birth,
a small percentage may be born with eye
or brain damage.
Unfortunately, the signs and symptoms
often appear a few months after birth.

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Congenital toxoplasmosis:
Children born with toxoplasmosis can be
afflicted with:
mental retardation,
convulsions, spasticity,
cerebral palsy, deafness, and severely
impaired vision.
head may be microcephaly or hydrocephalus
due to increased pressure on the brain

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Scar in the retinae

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Baby with congenital toxoplasmosis

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Diagnosis
is typically made by serologic testing
direct observation of the parasite in
stained tissue sections, cerebrospinal fluid
(CSF), or other biopsy material
difficult
Molecular techniques : detect the
parasite's DNA in the amniotic fluid
useful in cases of possible mother-tochild (congenital) transmission.
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Diagnosis ( contd)
Detection of Ig M and IgG antibodies
toward Toxoplasmosis
Congenital Toxoplasmosis : positive for
IgM antibodies or elevation of IgG titer
after 3 months

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Prognosis
Acquired Toxoplasmosis :
good in immuno-competent persons
bad in immuno compromised

Congenital Toxoplasmosis
Often fatal
Chronic infection with sequel
Treatment can not improve the damaged
organ

re activation may be occurred

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Prevention
planning on becoming pregnant or already
pregnant, you may consider or your doctor
who may order a blood sample for testing.
Wear gloves when you garden or do
anything outdoors that involves handling
soil.

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 Wash your hands well with soap and warm

water after outdoor activities, especially
before you eat or prepare food.
Cook all meat thoroughly

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Epidemiology
No significant differences were found
between sex
In France : high prevalence of infection
related to a preference for eating raw or
undercooked meat,
in Central America: high prevalence
related to the frequency of stray cats in a
climate favoring survival of oocysts and
soil exposure.
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 oocyst :
can survive up to 18 months, resistant
to dryness, desinfectants
died when cooked on 70C for 10
minutes

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Epidemiology (contd)

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