ANFS251 Lecture Notes - Lecture 6: Pyrimethamine, Sulfadiazine, Formaldehyde
12 Sep 2017
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Document Summary
Toxoplasmosis is caused by a protozoan parasite (apicomplexa) One third of humanity has been exposed to this protozoa. Leading cause of foodborne illness in the us. 60 million men, women, and children in the us carry the parasite. Forms of t. gondii: cat (felidae) is the definitive host. The organism sexually reproduces in cats to make oocysts. When passed in feces or digested, oocysts infect humans and other intermediate hosts. When in a new host the oocysts develop into tachyzoites. Tachyzoites rapidly divide, cause tissue destruction and spread infection (can infect human fetus) Tachyzoite: the tachyzoite is crescent shaped and 3 um x 6 um. Cats may have fever, loss of appetite, lethargy. If the parasite infects the lungs pneumonia may be a complication. Toxoplasmosis can also affect the eyes producing inflammation of the retina, abnormal pupil size and responsiveness to light, and blindness.
