Toxoplasma

General information

While cats are host and alternate host at the sametime various mammals including man serve as alternate host only.

Cat: Shedding of Toxoplasma usually occurs during first infection (prior to seroconversion) and can be started again due to reinfection or due to activation of cysts in immunocomprised animals.

Other mammals: Usually infections are overcome with mild flu like symptoms, manifestation of neurologic symptoms can occur when infected in early age or when immunocomprized.

Humans: First infection during pregnancy is extremely dangerous for the child with effects from abortion to malformation. Pervention of infection is needed in these circumstances e.g. cleaning the litter box daily and not by the pregnant person, feeding canned diets to the cat, regular monitoring if seronegative at the beginning of the pregnancy.