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An Epidemiologic Study of Toxoplasmosis in Pregnant women

Author

Joyce Moell Matzen, University of the Pacific

Date of Award

1981

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (M.S.)

Department

Graduate School

First Advisor

Not Listed

First Committee Member

Harry John

Abstract

Life Cycle and Transmission

Toxoplasmosis is a disease produced by infection with the protozoan Toxoplasma gondii, an intracellular parasite which was first isolated from the North African rodent, Cyterodactylus gondii, in 1908. Since that time, this organism has been shown to have worldwide distribution and is probably the most common parasite of mammals, birds and reptiles (Remington., 1960). In 1965, Hutchinson described toxoplasma oocysts in cat feces, but it was not until 1970 that the life cycle of the organism was disclosed. The felidae represent the primary host for toxoplasma and are the only animals known to harbor the intestinal form (Frenkel., 1973). The oocysts are shed by the cat within 3 to 5 days after infection and sporulate within the feces in another 3 to 4 days. This oocyst is fairly resistant to drying and disinfectants and may remain infective in fairly moist soil for up to several years (Jacobs.. 1974). (Figure 1)

Pages

59

Recommended Citation

Matzen, Joyce Moell. (1981). An Epidemiologic Study of Toxoplasmosis in Pregnant women. University of the Pacific, Thesis. https://scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/uop_etds/2057