Toxoplasma Gondii

Toxoplasma gondii are deadly parasites that infect millions of unknowing people around the world while causing anything from schizophrenia to abortions. An article in the Emerging Infectious Disease Journal relates that “T. gondii is an intracellular parasite in the phylum Apicomplexa” (Torrey and Yolken 1375). About ten thousand years ago humans started utilizing agriculture. The population density increased, creating opportunities for epidemic transmission of many kinds of parasites, including T. gondii. Currently, evidence suggests that the most prominent strain is the result of a cross between two parent offspring, an event that took place during this time period; however, according to many scientists exotic strains have existed for about one million years (Volkman and Hartl 353). At least fifteen distinct T. gondii strain types have been found throughout the world. The NE-II strain is more likely to be associated with premature birth and severe disease manifestations. NE-II parasites are more common along the Gulf Coast and Pacific Coast than other areas of the country (McLeod). T. gondii reproduce both asexually and sexually (Volkman and Hartl 353). Asexual multiplication by cell division can occur in virtually any host cell as long as that cell is in a cat (Dubey). T. gondii is a wide spread parasite that can be deadly to some host while going unnoticed by others.

Toxoplasma gondii can have devastating effects on people with weak immune systems. If untreated, congenital toxoplasmosis can have serious consequences for a child’s quality of life (McLeod). It states in the Gale Encyclopedia of Children’s Health, “Children and adults with weakened immune systems have a high risk of developing serious symptoms” (Davidson). C...

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...."The Stanley Research Medical Institute.” n.pag., 2008. Web. 25 Apr 2012.

McLeod, R. "Test Links Strains of Common Parasite to Severe Illness in US Newborns." Medical Xpress. National Institutes of Health, 2012. Web. 13 Apr 2012. .

Torrey, E F., and Robert H. Yolkin. "Toxoplasma Gondii and Schizophrenia." Emerging Infectious Disease Journal. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Nov. 2003. Web. 16 Apr. 2012. .

Volkman, Sarah K. and Daniel L Hartl, "A Game of Cat and Mouth." Science 299.5605 (2003): 353. MasterFILE Premier. Web. 13 Apr. 2012 .