Toxoplasmosis Chorioretinitis
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Toxoplasmosis is the most common parasitic infection worldwide. It is estimated to affect several billion people. The organism that causes toxoplasmosis is Toxoplasma gondii - a single-celled organism.
The cat is the only animal in which sexual reproduction of the organism occurs, so cats are the only domestic animal that have the potential to shed the infected eggs.
The symptoms of toxoplasmosis often include fever, lack of appetite, lethargy, diarrhea, and weight loss. Pneumonia, liver disease, and infection of the central nervous system are more devastating. Many afflicted cats and dogs do not survive.
Toxoplasmosis in dogs and cats can cause chorioretinitis (a form of uveitis caused by a bacterial infection which can lead to loss of vision), anterior uveitis (inflammation of the iris), or both. Eye lesions are a common manifestation of generalized toxoplasmosis. A diagnosis is made through blood tests. Infections involving only the eyes can be treated successfully.
Dogs act as a mechanical factor in transmitting Toxoplasmosis to humans by rolling in foul-smelling substances and by ingesting infected material. Just remember that 50% of stray dogs and cats carry T.gondii antibodies, which means that they have been infected and may transmit the parasite to you. Reports show that dogs in shelters, dogs living in close contact with wild birds and rodents in rural areas, and dogs fed raw meat are at much higher risk for being infected by T.gondii. Since 2000 there have been identified incidents of dermatitis in dogs associated with an unidentified Toxoplasma gondii-like parasite.
Toxoplasmosis presents a serious health risk for people. Infection is especially dangerous for people with supressed immune systems and pregnant women. Swollen glands and fever are the most common findings in those who have any symptoms. Infected infants may show various symptoms including jaundice, encephalitis, mental defects, and eye disease. Cats that will live in households with pregnant women should be tested for the presence of toxoplasma antibodies. A positive-testing cat is probably immune to infection. A negative-testing cat is susceptible to infection, and if exposed might shed the organism in the feces for a week or two afterward.
