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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #113781

Title: SOURCES OF TOXOPLASMA GONDII INFECTION IN PREGNANT WOMEN

Author
item Dubey, Jitender

Submitted to: British Medical Journal
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/1/2000
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Human beings commonly acquire Toxoplasma gondii infection by ingesting food and water contaminated with the resistant stage of the parasite (oocyst) shed in the feces of infected cats or by ingesting the encysted stage of the parasite (tissue cysts) in infected meat. Cats can shed millions of oocysts within a short time after ingesting T. gondii infected rodents, birds, or other animals. Oocysts can remain viable in the environment for many months even under harsh conditions.