This site is intended for healthcare professionals

Go to /sign-in page

You can view 5 more pages before signing in

Toxoplasma gondii

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoal organism of the order of Eucoccidia, transmitted by oocysts in the faeces of cats. The cat family is the definitive host for reproduction of the parasite.

The disease is acquired in humans by:

  • ingestion of cysts or meat contaminated with them, particularly lamb and pork
  • by (in)direct contact with cat faeces that transfer the sporocyst form
  • by transfer within organ transplant

The trophozoite is only able to multiply within cells - it is an obligate intracellular parasite with reticuloendothelial cells mainly affected. The trophozoite multiplies by binary fission, eventually causing cell disruption and death.


Related pages

Create an account to add page annotations

Add information to this page that would be handy to have on hand during a consultation, such as a web address or phone number. This information will always be displayed when you visit this page