Toxoplasmosis

In this condition factsheet:

• The facts on Toxoplasmosis


• Causes of Toxoplasmosis


• Symptoms and Complications of Toxoplasmosis


• Diagnosing Toxoplasmosis


• Treating and Preventing Toxoplasmosis

Diagnosing Toxoplasmosis

Normally, Toxoplasma infection is easily detected by looking for antibodies to the parasite in a blood sample. The only exception to this rule is people with AIDS who have severe disease, and whose immune systems are too weak to produce detectable antibodies. If the disease is in the brain, the doctor will use a computed tomography (CT) scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan to locate small round lesions that are highly suggestive of toxoplasmosis, followed by a spinal tap. To diagnose toxoplasmosis during pregnancy, a sample of amniotic fluid may be used to detect the parasite.

Treating and Preventing Toxoplasmosis

People with healthy immune systems usually do not need treatment for toxoplasmosis. For people with symptoms, the treatment most frequently used is a combination of pyrimethamine* and sulfadiazine or clindamycin. There are a few minor variations, but treatment is basically similar for babies, healthy adults, and people with AIDS. People taking pyrimethamine are usually also prescribed leucovorin (also called folinic acid) to prevent toxic effects on the bone marrow. If you have AIDS, your doctor will determine if it is advanced enough to prescribe a daily antibiotic to help prevent toxoplasmosis infection.

People with ocular toxoplasmosis are also prescribed a corticosteroid (e.g., prednisone). Even then, eye problems are likely to recur, and it takes constant vigilance to catch new flare-ups early and prevent slow deterioration of eyesight.

Pregnant women who become infected are usually treated with spiramycin as long as the fetus is not infected. If the fetus is infected and the pregnancy is beyond the first trimester (i.e., after the first 3 months), then pyrimethamine and sulfadiazine are used. Pregnant women should avoid cats if possible. If you have a cat and you are pregnant, it is recommended that you not handle cat feces (i.e., change the litter box) or wear gloves while doing so for the duration of your pregnancy.

To prevent getting infected with toxoplasmosis:

• Wear gloves while working in the garden, especially if you're handling soil, and wash your hands well with soap and warm water after touching soil.
• Cook meat thoroughly, to at least 74°C to 77°C (165°F to 170°F), and wash hands well after touching raw meat.
• Wash or peel fruits and vegetables.
• Wash all kitchen tools and utensils and hands thoroughly with hot, soapy water after contact with raw meat, seafood, or unwashed fruits or vegetables.
• Cover sandboxes to reduce the chance of cat feces getting in the sand.
• Avoid unpasteurized milk and milk products.
• Keep cats indo

  People with healthy immune systems usually do not need treatment for toxoplasmosis. For people with symptoms, the treatment most frequently used is a combination of pyrimethamine* and sulfadiazine or clindamycin. There are a few minor variations, but treatment is basically similar for babies, healthy adults, and people with AIDS. People taking pyrimethamine are usually also prescribed leucovorin (also called folinic acid) to prevent toxic effects on the bone marrow. If you have AIDS, your doctor will determine if it is advanced enough to prescribe a daily antibiotic to help prevent toxoplasmosis infection.

  People with ocular toxoplasmosis are also prescribed a corticosteroid (e.g., prednisone). Even then, eye problems are likely to recur, and it takes constant vigilance to catch new flare-ups early and prevent slow deterioration of eyesight.

  Pregnant women who become infected are usually treated with spiramycin as long as the fetus is not infected. If the fetus is infected and the pregnancy is beyond the first trimester (i.e., after the first 3 months), then pyrimethamine and sulfadiazine are used. Pregnant women should avoid cats if possible. If you have a cat and you are pregnant, it is recommended that you not handle cat feces (i.e., change the litter box) or wear gloves while doing so for the duration of your pregnancy.

  To prevent getting infected with toxoplasmosis:

  • Wear gloves while working in the garden, especially if you're handling soil, and wash your hands well with soap and warm water after touching soil.
  • Cook meat thoroughly, to at least 74°C to 77°C (165°F to 170°F), and wash hands well after touching raw meat.
  • Wash or peel fruits and vegetables.
  • Wash all kitchen tools and utensils and hands thoroughly with hot, soapy water after contact with raw meat, seafood, or unwashed fruits or vegetables.
  • Cover sandboxes to reduce the chance of cat feces getting in the sand.
  • Avoid unpasteurized milk and milk products.
  • Keep cats indoors and wash hands well after handling cat litter.
  ors and wash hands well after handling cat litter.

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