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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #256472
Title: Epidemiology of Toxoplasmosis

Author
item JONES, J - Collaborator
item Dubey, Jitender

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/28/2010
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Toxoplasma gondii is a single-celled parasite of all warm-blooded hosts worldwide. It causes mental retardation and loss of vision in children, and abortion in livestock. Cats are the main reservoir of T. gondii because they are the only hosts that can excrete the resistant stage (oocyst) of the parasite in the feces. Humans become infected by eating undercooked meat from infected animals and food and water contaminated with oocysts. This paper reviews status of toxoplasmosis in humans in Brazil. The paper will be of interest to biologists, parasitologists, public health workers, and veterinarians.

Technical Abstract: Infection with Toxoplasma gondii is highly prevalent throughout the world. This chapter discusses modes of transmission, the epidemiology of T. gondii infection worldwide and in Brazil, and methods of prevention and control.