Toxoplasmosis is a disease caused by the single-celled parasite, Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii). T. gondii is one of the world’s most common parasites that infects 30-50% of humans globally regardless of gender, race, socioeconomic status, and environment.

According to data presented by the CDC, 60 million people in the U.S. have been exposed to and/or may be infected with T. gondii without knowing. T. gondii has the potential to infect all warm-blooded animals, however humans, cats, rodents, sheep, and pigs are among the most common (4). Transmission begins in cats and can be passed on to both humans and livestock. Infection is asymptomatic in healthy adults, but can be fatal for those with weakened immune systems such as infants, chemotherapy recipients, pregnant people, and individuals with HIV/AIDS. Infection in newborns is associated with severe eye and brain disorders, including mental retardation, permanent blindness, water in the brain, seizures, and Schizophrenia (3).

Congenital Toxoplasmosis and food-borne illness contribute to the majority of Toxoplasmosis cases in the world. Newborns who are infected are 84% more likely to develop serious brain conditions and developmental delays compared to in France, where newborns are only 17% likely (4). This wide gap is something the medical community has been trying to close for some time, pushing for higher rates of Toxoplasmosis screening in the U.S.. France’s low incidence rates might, in part, be due to the reliability of Toxoplasmosis related reported data and their national initiatives against Congenital Toxoplasmosis. Recently in 2014, the CDC launched a new initiative targeting 5 primary parasitic diseases in the U.S., however there has been minimal data reported thus far (1). 

Once infected, you become a carrier for life. So why isn’t there more awareness surrounding one of the most common infections in the world? This website seeks to provide education surrounding just that.

 

Sources:

1. Hotez, Peter M.D. Ph.D. “The CDC’s New Initiative on Parasitic Infections.” The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 8 May 2014. Web. 15 Dec. 2016.

2. Jones, Jeffrey L., Deanna Kruszon-Moran, Marianna Wilson 1,, Geraldine McQuillan 2,, and Thomas Navin 1 and. “Toxoplasma Gondii Infection in the United States: Seroprevalence and Risk Factors.” Toxoplasma Gondii Infection in the United States: Seroprevalence and Risk Factors. American Journal of Epidemiology, 26 Feb. 2011. Web. 11 Dec. 2016.

3.”Toxoplasmosis.” Toxoplasmosis. Mayoclinic, 24 July 2014. Web. 13 Dec. 2016.

4. Toxoplasmosis Is A Disease Caused By A Microscopic Parasite, and Called. “Cats and Pregnant Women.” Cats and Pregnant Women – Toxoplasmosis (n.d.): n. 12. The Cat Group. Cats Protection Veterinary Guide 20. Web. 13 Dec. 201