Toxoplasmosis Overview
Learn About Toxoplasmosis
Toxoplasmosis is an infection due to the parasite Toxoplasma gondii.
Toxoplasmosis is found in humans worldwide and in many kinds of animals and birds. The parasite also lives in cats.
Human infection may result from:
- Blood transfusions or solid organ transplants
- Handling cat litter
- Eating contaminated soil
- Eating raw or undercooked meat (lamb, pork, and beef)
Toxoplasmosis also affects people who have weakened immune systems. These people are more likely to have symptoms.
The infection may also be passed from an infected mother to her baby through the placenta. This results in congenital toxoplasmosis.
Common conditions include: Ocular Toxoplasmosis
There may be no symptoms. If there are symptoms, they usually occur about 1 to 2 weeks after contact with the parasite. The disease can affect the brain, lung, heart, eyes, or liver.
Symptoms in people with otherwise healthy immune systems can include:
- Enlarged lymph nodes in the head and neck
- Headache
- Fever
- Mild illness similar to mononucleosis
- Muscle pain
- Sore throat
- Visual disturbances
Symptoms in people with a weakened immune system can include:
- Confusion
- Fever
- Headache
- Blurred vision due to inflammation of the retina
- Seizures
People without symptoms usually do not need treatment.
Medicines to treat the infection include a specific antimalarial medicine and antibiotics. People with AIDS should continue treatment for as long as their immune system is weak, to prevent the disease from reactivating.
Martine Wallon practices in Lyon, France. Wallon and is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Toxoplasmosis. Her top areas of expertise are Congenital Toxoplasmosis, Toxoplasmosis, Primary Amebic Meningoencephalitis, Ocular Toxoplasmosis, and Pancreas Transplant.
Francois Peyron practices in Lyon, France. Peyron and is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Toxoplasmosis. His top areas of expertise are Congenital Toxoplasmosis, Toxoplasmosis, Primary Amebic Meningoencephalitis, and Ocular Toxoplasmosis.
Rubens Belfort practices in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Belfort and is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Toxoplasmosis. His top areas of expertise are Ocular Toxoplasmosis, Toxoplasmosis, Leber Hereditary Optic Neuropathy (LHON), Cataract Removal, and Vitrectomy.
With treatment, people with a healthy immune system usually recover well.
The disease may return.
In people with a weakened immune system, the infection may spread throughout the body, leading to death.
Contact your provider for an appointment if you develop symptoms of toxoplasmosis. Medical care is needed right away if symptoms occur in:
- Infants or babies
- Someone with a weakened immune system due to certain medicines or disease
Also seek medical treatment right away if the following symptoms occur:
- Confusion
- Seizures
Tips for preventing this condition:
- Do not eat undercooked meat.
- Wash hands after handling raw meat.
- Keep children's play areas free from cat and dog feces.
- Wash your hands thoroughly after touching soil that may be contaminated with animal feces.
Pregnant women and those with weakened immune systems should take the following precautions:
- Do not clean cat litter boxes.
- Do not touch anything that may contain cat feces.
- Do not touch anything that could be contaminated by insects, such as cockroaches and flies that may be exposed to cat feces.
Pregnant women and those with HIV/AIDS should be screened for toxoplasmosis. A blood test can be done.
In some cases, medicine to prevent toxoplasmosis may be given.
Background: - Gene therapy is being investigated as a possible treatment for individuals with immunodeficiency diseases or other conditions that make it difficult to fight off infection. Gene therapy avoids problems with donor identification and possible rejection of bone marrow transplant by using the patient s own modified blood cells to help treat the disease. Researchers are interested in collecting stem ...
Summary: Toxoplasmosis is a common infection whose clinical severity can sometimes justify admission to intensive care, especially in immunocompromised patients. This study should make it possible to evaluate the impact of different anti-infective treatment regimens and to highlight clinical-biological and prognostic differences depending on the type of underlying immunosuppression.
Published Date: December 31, 2023
Published By: Jatin M. Vyas, MD, PhD, Associate Professor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Associate in Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Mcleod R, Boyer KM. Toxoplasmosis (Toxoplasma gondii). In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, et al, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 22nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 336.
Montoya JG, Boothroyd JC, Kovacs JA. Toxoplasma gondii. In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 278.