Tox·o·plas·ma gon·di·i (t k s -pl z m gnd - )n. A sporozoan species that is an intracellular parasite in a variety of vertebrates and is the causative agent of toxoplasmosis. |
toxoids (tok´soidz),
n.pl toxins that have been treated to destroy their toxic properties but retain their ability to induce antibody production, thus creating an active immunity.
Toxoplasma gondii
n a protozoa commonly found in cat feces and undercooked meat. Pregnant women should avoid coming in contact with cat litter boxes, because the protozoa can cross the placenta and cause stillbirth or other serious physical or psychomotor defects in utero. See also toxoplasmosis.
Toxoplasma
a genus of apicomplexan parasites in the family Sarcocystidae.
Toxoplasma gondii
a coccidian parasite of the intestine of all felids, including especially the domestic cat, jaguarundi, ocelot, mountain lion, leopard cat, and bobcat, which are definitive hosts. Most vertebrates, including humans and birds, can be infected with the intermediate stages and experience one or other forms of the disease toxoplasmosis. Oocysts are the infective stage of importance in farm animals, and the only environmental infective stage for herbivores. Oocysts excreted in the feces of cats can survive in soil for many months and are ingested by the intermediate (livestock) host, and the parasite invades tissues to produce tissue cysts. The invasion can include the fetus. Tissue cysts in the intermediate host cause damage to the nervous system, myocardium, lung tissue, and placenta. Bradyzoites in animal tissues are a source for toxoplasmosis in humans and pigs.
Toxoplasma hammondi
see hammondiahammondi.
Toxoplasma gondii
Parasitology A species of obligate intracellular coccidian protozoans that has its sexual cycle in the GI tract of its definitive host, Felis catus; infection–toxoplasmosis–is usually the result of
ingestion of oocytes shed in cat feces or, very rarely, due to ingestion of meat contaminated by pseudocysts. See Toxoplasmosis.
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