BIOL2117 Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Toxoplasma Gondii, Plasmodium, Vacuole
Document Summary
The cause of many diseases in humans and other animals. Plasmodium (parasite that causes malaria) is also part of this phylum. Major cause of diarrhoeal diseases, especially in developing countries. Major killer of young children in those nations. Shared common ancestor with animals 1. 5 billion years ago. May cell biological differences - including mitochondrial biology. Oocysts are very long living and tough, can be dumped in bleach and will still be infective. This is what causes many of the symptoms of toxoplasma infection. Cysts that form once the host immune system is on to the infection. Basically wait for you to be eaten by cat to complete life cycle. Will continually divide until they fill the entire cell. Single parasite can entre single retinal cell, and eventually spread that if left untreated, can cause blindness. If mother is infected for the first time during pregnancy. Target of several major anti-toxoplasma drugs (atovaquone, endochin-like quinolones, triazolopyrimidines)
