Toxoplasmosis: A Food Borne Parasitic Zoonosis

Toxoplasmosis is one of the important zoonosis caus ed by Toxoplasma gondii, an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite with worldwide distribution. Felines are definitive host and only animal species to shed the infectious stage in their faeces and th e intermediate hosts are vertebrates like amphibians, fish, reptiles and oth er warm blooded animals including man. Infection occurs by eating infected meat, particula rly swine products, by ingesting water, soil, or food that ha s come into contact with infected animal's faecal matter, by transplacental route from infected mother to fetus during pregnancy, by organ transpla ntation and blood transfusion. Parasite can infect any cell of the bo dy and hence clinical sign/symptoms are dependent on the organ affected. Main forms of disease in human are congenital and ocular. Persons at risk are pregnant women, cat owners, veterinarians, abattoir workers, butche rs, children, cooks. Diagnosis is by microscopic examination, serological test, computed tomography and PCR based technique. Treatment with Pyrimethamine and Sulfadiazine is most effective. Control and prevent ion can be conducted by proper hygiene, proper cooking of food and mass education and awareness to persons at high risk.