Toxoplasma

Due to its destructive properties, toxoplasma is a dangerous microscopic parasite (the simplest microorganism) capable of metabolizing any cell of the human body, be it nervous, epithelial or cardiac tissue.

Toxoplasma gondii

Toxoplasma gondii is an intracellular protozoan parasite that lives in the host organism under anaerobic (oxygen-free) conditions. The reproduction of these microorganisms is represented by endodyogeny (a method of division that consists of the formation of two daughter organisms under the shell of the mother organism). A living organism can coexist for a long time inside its host (human and animal), without manifesting itself in any way. At the same time, a foreign organism parasitizes in any cell and in any organ.

The main distributors of toxoplasma are animals belonging to the cat family. They are the main hosts and incubator of protozoa at the stage of sexual development (formation of oocysts). A cat - a carrier of toxoplasma, is capable of "sowing" up to two billion oocysts into the soil over the course of two weeks; parasites in this form are capable of maintaining viability for up to two years. But as soon as they get into an environment where the temperature is 60 °C and above, the protozoa die. Almost immediately they die from the effects of disinfectants. Although in the salivary fluid during an exacerbation, after taking the drug, they are able to live for up to two to three hours.

It is quite difficult to diagnose toxoplasma gondii symptomatically, since its clinical manifestations can be observed only in 1-5% of all patients, and most of them are patients with a history of human immunodeficiency (HIV infection). A legitimate question arises: "If there are no manifestations, why treat it?" But it turns out that it still needs to be treated. Toxoplasmosis is not dangerous for an adult, but if a woman decides to become a mother, this insidious enemy, freely getting through the placenta to the embryo, can quickly lead to its death or cause irreversible processes in the development of the fetus, which can cause disability and deformity.

Toxoplasma enters the human body orally (through the mouth). You can pick up oocysts in an open body of water, through food: if they are not washed thoroughly enough (vegetables, fruits, greens) or heat-treated (dried, undercooked meat and fish). Toxoplasmosis is called the disease of unwashed hands. But there is another way for cysts to enter the human body - percutaneous. That is, toxoplasma enters through the mucous membrane and wounds on the skin. Veterinarians, slaughterhouse and meat-packing plant workers, that is, whose professional activities involve mandatory contact with raw meat or animals, are at the greatest risk of picking up this disease in this way. Another way of infection is donation, medical need for blood transfusion (hemotransfusion) or organ transplantation.

Structure of Toxoplasma

Toxoplasma belongs to the class of sporozoans and, when it enters the human body, it provokes the development of toxoplasmosis. The geography of its distribution is uneven, so some regions of the Earth show that 90% of the population is affected by this simple microorganism, and some regions are practically sterile.

The structure of toxoplasma ("taxon" - arc, "plasma" - shape) is quite classic for a protozoan. The shape of the microorganism slightly resembles a crescent and reaches sizes from 4 to 12 microns. At the pointed end there is a conoid - a special "device" with the help of which the parasite attaches itself to the host organism. Toxoplasma does not have special organelles that facilitate the movement of a living organism, but it does not need this, it is already distinguished by excellent sliding (screwing, like a corkscrew), easily entering the cell.

The organism of Toxoplasma gondii is equipped with rhoptries, which also help in the process of introduction. The Golgi apparatus is, in fact, the "stomach" of the parasite, where lysosomes, released as needed, with the help of special enzymes break down large protein molecules. Mitochondria - oxidation processes occur in them. Ribosomes located in the opposite end from the conoid are responsible for protein biosynthesis. It is carried out from amino acids and occurs according to a given program, which is stored in the genetic biomatrix (RNA).

Once in a cell, toxoplasma settles in it, creating a colony of pseudocysts and gradually destroying the cell that has “sheltered” them. Then, once in the bloodstream, it spreads throughout the body, occupying new cells. It is not surprising that toxoplasma can be found in a variety of places (brain, liver, eyes, bladder, heart).

Toxoplasma cysts

Toxoplasmosis is a disease caused by the simplest toxoplasma. The main way these parasites enter the human body is through the mouth. Unwashed hands, dirty vegetables, raw infected meat contribute to this route of penetration. Cats are considered the main host of these little aggressors. This is true, but it is also known that only about two percent of pets are infected with this disease. At the same time, all the necessary factors must come together to produce toxoplasma cysts.

• It is necessary that the cat be a carrier of toxoplasmosis.
• Toxoplasma cysts are excreted together with cat feces, and only once in the cat's entire life, while the duration of cyst excretion is from one to three weeks.
• During this period, under the influence of room temperature, parasites are able to degenerate into a spore form, which, having left the body of its host, can remain viable for a whole year. It is the spore form that enables cysts to travel significant distances, polluting the surrounding space.
• If they manage to enter the human body (the gastrointestinal tract), they become active and begin to divide rapidly.

But how are they able to get into a person?

• If a person comes into contact with the feces of an infected cat or the litter where the animal has defecated, the cysts get on their hands and, if they are not washed with soap, there is a real risk of infection with toxoplasma.
• Flies and cockroaches can be carriers of this infection: they first came into contact with the feces of an infected cat, then with food products. If they are not thoroughly washed or heat-treated, the result is toxoplasmosis infection.

It is worth noting, however, that this route of infection is more common among children playing with wild cats or in an outdoor sandbox (they have not yet fully mastered the rules of personal hygiene), therefore, long-term studies confirm that in most cases, patients become infected with this disease in childhood.

Adults can catch this infection through poorly cooked food. In most cases, this concerns lamb and pork, which are infected with toxoplasma oocysts. This route of infection accounts for 30 to 60% of cases. Toxoplasmosis can also enter the body through water from open water bodies (if a person swallows a little water while swimming, or consumes it without boiling it). Up to 90% of cases of toxoplasmosis are asymptomatic, only in rare cases can symptoms similar to a cold be observed.

Toxoplasma is "omnivorous" and can penetrate the cellular barriers of any tissue. The exception is erythrocytes (red blood cells). They are "saved" by the fact that their cell does not have a nucleus. In most cases, cysts settle in the cells of the brain, heart and skeletal muscle tissue. About two percent of cases are due to cysts affecting the eye field, which is fraught with blindness.

Toxoplasma, getting into the blood system, spreads throughout the body. It is especially dangerous during the period when a woman is carrying a child, since the high biokinetics of the parasite allows it to easily overcome the placental barrier, getting into the amniotic fluid and into the body of the unborn child. Due to the intervention of toxoplasma, a failure in the development of the fetus is possible. The baby can be born with physical or mental pathology.

It is not dangerous for the adult carrier of this infection. Reactivation of the infection occurs extremely rarely. Congenital toxoplasmosis is represented by only a few registered cases.

Life cycle of toxoplasma

Clinical studies have already proven that toxoplasma is an obligate (not capable of reproducing outside the cell) protozoan parasitic organism. It is also capable of living inside the cell nucleus. In general biological terms, toxoplasma gondii can be classified as an organism with high adaptability. The geography of its distribution is quite wide. This parasite can be found at all latitudes. It is capable of living and reproducing in almost any organism of birds and animals, affecting any tissue cells with its presence. In 1965, the fact of transmission of these parasites through cats was experimentally confirmed, having been found in their feces in the form of oocysts. The result of the studies was the deciphering of the life cycle of toxoplasma, represented by two stages: intestinal and extraintestinal (not tissue).

The intestinal stage is caused by the development of the parasite, which takes place in the intestinal mucosa of the final host. This host is almost all representatives of the feline family, including domestic cats. The life cycle of toxoplasma is divided into four stages:

• Schizogony is a process of cell division related to the reproduction of simple microorganisms by spores: multiple divisions of the cell nucleus and further division into merozoites (multiple daughter cells).
• Endodiogeny (internal budding) is a method of reproduction of the simplest microorganisms, which consists of the formation of two new organisms under the membrane of the mother cell.
• Gametogony is sexual reproduction in organisms, represented by the fusion of different gametes of one or different protozoa.
• Sporogony is the process of division of the zygote formed as a result of the fusion of sexual individuals in sporozoans.

All these stages of division occur in different parts of the living organism of the host. Such stages as gametogony, schizogony and the initial stage of sporogony occur directly in the intestine of the final host, which is one of the representatives of the feline family. The completion of the sporogony stage ends outside the intestine in the external ecological environment. Endodiogeny occurs in the body of the main or intermediate host, which can be a human.

Toxoplasma life cycle

The development cycle of toxoplasma is directly related to the change of one host to another. In this case, the main host of the parasite can be any representative of the feline family. The intermediate base of development is a hundred representatives of birds, mammals (including humans), as well as reptiles.

A cat usually becomes infected with toxoplasmosis after eating an infected rodent or raw meat. Trophozoites that enter its body enter the epithelial cells of the mucous tissue through the digestive system. Here, schizogony occurs, as a result of which merozoites develop, which are formed as microgametes (male "individuals") and macrogametes (female sex cells). After the fusion of gametes of different sexes, a neoplasm is obtained, such as oocysts, equipped with a hard protective shell. In this form, toxoplasma can already enter the external environment for further spread. The exit occurs together with the cat's feces. Having entered the external ecosystem, in the coming days (if favorable conditions have developed), each oocyst produces a pair of sporocysts with two pairs of sporozoites. Already at this stage, toxoplasma becomes invasive and is ready for further infection of surrounding organisms. Then, getting into the body of the intermediate host again, it is carried by the lymph and blood flow throughout the body, where further asexual reproduction occurs, which occurs inside the cells. The formation of trophozoites with a membrane forms pseudocysts. The membranes enveloping the cysts rupture and the trophozoites are able to penetrate into neighboring cells.

If the body is equipped with a strong immune system, the division of toxoplasma is limited and only true cysts are formed, which do not lose their vital capabilities for decades. Similar processes of cyst formation (in addition to sexual division) occur in the body of the main host of the parasite.

Invasive stage of toxoplasma

The stage in the "life" of protozoa, in which they can develop further, getting into other conditions (the next host) is the invasive stage of toxoplasma. In this case, for humans, there are several types of penetration: the penetration of mature oocysts, real cysts or endozoites.

Oocysts in the invasive stage of toxoplasma can be obtained by the patient as a result of unwashed or poorly processed vegetables and fruits, as well as neglect of basic hygiene rules (washing hands before consuming any food). If the toxoplasmosis pathogen has entered the human body as a result of a blood transfusion, organ transplant, poorly processed food, uncooked dairy products, etc., then the invasion will be provoked by real cysts and endozoites. When they get into a favorable environment, endosites bud off, forming about three dozen daughter cells. After rupturing the protective membrane, they penetrate into neighboring cells, thereby continuing the spread of the disease. It is during this period that a person is most contagious, since toxoplasma in an invasive state is present in saliva, tears, breast milk, excrement, urine, sweat.

Gradually, the patient's body begins to increase its immune defense. Toxoplasma enters the phase of endosites of cysts, which are able to be preserved in the human body for many years, recurring in the event of a decrease in the body's defenses.

The definitive host of Toxoplasma

The main or final host of toxoplasma is mammals of the cat family (Felidae). They can become both the main and transitional refuge of toxoplasma. It is in the structure of the epithelium of the intestinal mucosa, through merogony, that this protozoan, multiplying, forms merozoites, which are divided into microgametes - "spermatozoa" (male reproductive cells) and female (macrogametes - "egg cells"). Merging, they are fertilized, receiving immature oocysts. They are the ones that leave the body of cats along with their feces. If the parasites get into the conditions necessary for further development, they degenerate into mature oocysts. Sporogony occurs. If external factors are unfavorable, the parasite is preserved, continuing to maintain its viability for a fairly long time.

Morphology of Toxoplasma

The parasite reproduces by longitudinal cell division. Each cyst is located as if in a capsule, which was formed from the remains of the "bodies" of destroyed cells and is located inside the cellular protoplasm or outside it. The accumulation of such parasites is called pseudocysts. The morphology of toxoplasma is similar in its features to Encephalitozoon. Parasites are found mainly in mice, cats and some other animals.

If toxoplasmosis is suspected, several different methods are used.

• The cerebrospinal fluid taken from the patient's spine is sent for examination. This material is accelerated in a centrifuge at a speed of 2000 rpm. The procedure lasts 15-20 minutes. The discarded sediment is analyzed by examining it under a microscope, placing a drop of sediment under a special glass, while contrast dyes are not used.
• A smear can be prepared from the resulting sediment, which is then stained and examined under a microscope using Romanovsky’s method.
• A sample from the pleural area can be examined in the same way.
• In case of pneumonia, an analysis of pulmonary sputum is performed (stained smear according to Romanovsky).
• In case of lethality, the material for the smear is prepared from several fluids and organs at once: ventricular, cerebrospinal and peritoneal fluid, as well as from the brain, lungs, pancreas, liver, spleen. Further laboratory research is carried out according to the already classical scheme (fixation with alcohol, staining according to Romanovsky).
• It is worth noting that even in cases of increased invasion, toxoplasma is detected in plasma fluid quite rarely.

Toxoplasma during pregnancy

A person, having lived his entire life, may never know that he was infected with this unpleasant disease. It is worse when a woman carrying a fetus in her womb finds out about her disease. Toxoplasma during pregnancy is a rather dangerous infection. With the blood of the infected mother, the parasite freely enters the body of the embryo. Its effect on the new life is quite unpredictable, but definitely negative. Infection of the fetus with toxoplasmosis can end in severe postpartum pathology, external deformity, psychological deviations of the child, and can lead to spontaneous abortion. The presence of the parasite can provoke premature birth or the birth of a stillborn baby. In any case, the consequences are very terrible for both the woman and her child.

The statistics provided by doctors are quite frightening. About 12% of women become infected with toxoplasmosis during pregnancy, while about 30-40% of babies become infected with this disease from their infected mothers while still in the womb. The early stages of pregnancy are especially dangerous for the further development and severity of subsequent complications. It is in this situation that particularly severe pathologies occur. If a woman becomes infected during the third trimester, there is a 90% chance that the baby will also be infected, but the disease will be asymptomatic. In a situation where the expectant mother “picked up” the parasite long before pregnancy (six months or more), infection of the fetus occurs in isolated cases. The shorter the period between infection and conception, the higher the risk of congenital infection of the child.

Symptoms of Toxoplasma

The manifestation of toxoplasmosis is very veiled or completely asymptomatic. In some cases, the symptoms of toxoplasma can be quite varied, but not clearly expressed, which allows them to be mistaken for the symptoms of other diseases. From the moment the parasite entered the patient's body until the symptomatic manifestation, up to three weeks can pass. These can be symptoms of both a cold nature and symptoms of a neoplasm. Therefore, in order to diagnose toxoplasmosis, it is necessary to seek advice and examination from a specialist who will conduct all the necessary studies, establish a diagnosis and prescribe adequate treatment. The symptoms of toxoplasma can be different. It all depends on which organ was affected:

• Enlarged lymph nodes.
• Hepatosplenomegaly is an increase in the size of the spleen and liver.
• Encephalitis.
• Increased intracranial pressure.
• Vasculitis.
• Minor mental disorders.
• Tachycardia.
• Meningoencephalitis.
• Headache.
• Chest pain.
• False meningeal symptoms.
• Vascular crises.
• Aching pain with passive movement.
• Numbness of the limbs, pain symptoms.
• Inflammation of the membrane of the eye.
• Rapid fatigue.
• Shortness of breath.
• Fever.
• And multiple other symptoms.

Toxoplasma norm in blood

There is simply no such concept as the norm of toxoplasma in the blood in medical vocabulary, because toxoplasmosis is a disease caused by toxoplasma (a simple unicellular parasite). Toxoplasma is not an element or an enzyme produced by the body for its adequate functioning. Such a category as a norm is justified in the combination: "glucose norm", "hemoglobin norm", "cholesterol norm". In this light, talking about the norm of toxoplasma in the blood is generally incorrect, because it simply should not be in the human body.

However, if a person has had toxoplasmosis, antibodies are formed in their blood, which subsequently protect against re-infection. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method allows determining their presence and level in the plasma. It is also considered the most informative way to diagnose toxoplasmosis itself and the duration of the infection. It is for antibodies that very conditional standards are adopted, which vary within different laboratories. Today, there are two types of antibodies: IgG and IgM. For example, the results of studies in one of the laboratories are based on the following indicators: if IgG is less than 9.0, then the test result is negative, if the figure shows 12 or higher, then it is positive, in the case of an intermediate indicator, the result is definitely not determined and requires a repeat analysis in two to four weeks. The same is true for IgM: if less than 0.8, the result is negative, and more than 1.1, then it is positive.

Antibodies to toxoplasma

It is worth knowing that the main issue in diagnosing toxoplasmosis is not only the fact of its detection, but the diagnosis of its form: is the person a carrier of the infection or is it an acute form of the disease. Toxoplasma antibodies IgM and IgG help answer this question.

A positive result for IgM antibodies indicates that the patient has toxoplasmosis, which is progressing at the moment. Confirmation of the presence of IgG antibodies indicates that the patient has already suffered from this disease in the past, and the risk of re-infection tends to zero. Therefore, if the IgG type is found in the blood of a pregnant woman, this is a guarantee that the woman and her fetus are already protected from re-infection. If this type is absent in the mother's blood, then the risk of the disease exists.

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Toxoplasma IgM

In a normal state, when a person has not had and does not have toxoplasmosis, toxoplasma IgM is absent from the blood. This class of antibodies is determined by tests during the period of acute infection, the level indicators show peak values within a month after infection and, falling, completely disappear after two to three months. A negative result for IgM antibodies only indicates the absence of an acute form of the disease during this period and the next three months, but does not indicate whether the disease occurred earlier. But do not forget that if a person's medical history includes rheumatoid factor and / or antinuclear antibodies, a false positive result can be obtained. In the presence of immunodeficiency, IgM antibodies are not determined even during the acute period of infection.

Toxoplasma IgG

During the "recovery" period, toxoplasma lgG begins to be determined. Antibodies of this type can be diagnosed for decades to come. The lgG indicator in the blood confirms toxoplasmosis, which affected the patient's body in the past, and provides an assessment of post-vaccination immunity. Laboratory tests may show a false positive result in the case of lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis occurring in the patient's body. In such a case, it is advisable to repeat the tests.

Test for toxoplasma

The essence of the laboratory study is to determine the number of toxoplasma in the blood. Toxoplasma analysis is mainly prescribed to pregnant women to prevent the birth of children with severe pathology. For the analysis, blood is taken from a vein. The number of parasites is determined on a fixed volume of blood. Research results:

• A count of less than 6.5 IU/ml of blood is a negative result (but there is a possibility of the initial stage of the disease). It is advisable to repeat the blood test in a couple of weeks.
• An indicator within the range of 6.5 to 8.0 IU/ml is an ambiguous result and the test should be repeated in a couple of weeks.
• More than 8.0 IU/ml – this indicator indicates the presence of toxoplasmosis.

In this case, you can get the following result:

• Ig M – “-”, IgG – “-” – the disease is absent. A pregnant woman with such an analysis falls into the risk group for infection.
• Ig M – “-”, IgG – “+” – antibodies are present that provide protection against this disease in the future.
• Ig M – “+”, IgG – “-” – acute form of the disease. During pregnancy, there is a high probability of intrauterine infection of the embryo.
• Ig M – “+”, IgG – “+” – primary infection is possible, no additional studies or repeat blood test for toxoplasmosis in two to three weeks are required.

If a woman is planning a pregnancy and is the owner of a cat, it is worth giving it to someone to live with during the pregnancy (especially if it is accustomed to walking outside).

Avidity to Toxoplasma

Avidity (from avidity – “greedy”) is the ability of IgG antibodies to resist subsequent attempts to infect the human body with the simplest parasites toxoplasma. Avidity to toxoplasma is determined by the fact that in the initial period of the disease, the ability to resist parasites is quite weak, whereas as the acute period of the disease moves away, the immune system begins to produce IgG antibodies, the avidity of which steadily increases. Antibodies – a special protein structure – are “able to recognize” a hostile antigen (in this case, toxoplasma). After identification, they bind to toxoplasma, affecting its membrane and disrupting the integrity of the barrier. After this, the parasite dies.

It is the strength of this connection that is called avidity to toxoplasma. Usually this level is calculated for IgG antibodies, since this is the most informative indicator.

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Toxoplasma avidity index

A unique protein molecule, the antigen, effectively recognizes, blocks and destroys the parasite. The "strength" of antibodies is assessed using an index that shows the number of binding antibodies per hundred toxoplasma. Doctors divide the avidity index to toxoplasma into three categories:

• Low - less than 30% of connecting pairs. Indicates recent infection - no more than three months.
• Average level – from 31 to 40%. Transitional period with the presence of both types of antibodies in the blood. The analysis should be repeated in a couple of weeks.
• High avidity – more than 40%. The disease was suffered a long time ago.

Treatment of toxoplasma

Most often, the treatment of toxoplasma in modern conditions relies on drugs of the pyrimethamine group (chloridin, tindurin). To increase their effectiveness, sulfonamides or clindamycin with calcium folinate are prescribed in parallel. But it is worth noting that doctors prescribe pyrimethamine very carefully during pregnancy, since it is an active antagonist of folic acid, which is fraught with failures in the functioning of the body systems of the pregnant woman. And this is absolutely unacceptable. If a person has a history of HIV infection, a higher dosage of drugs or a longer course of treatment is included in the therapy protocol when treating toxoplasma.

Pyrimethacin. This medicine is prescribed after meals in a dosage of 25 mg. Pyrimethacin is prescribed together with sulfalene or sulfadoxine, which are taken in a dosage of 1 g. During the day, two doses of the drug complex are administered. The treatment is carried out in courses with a break of ten days. The recommended amount is two to three courses. This drug should be prescribed with special caution if the patient suffers from liver or kidney dysfunction, during pregnancy, in case of a lack of folic acid in the patient's body. Treatment with pyrimethacin can also provoke multiple side effects: dry mouth, diarrhea, nausea, allergic rash, headache, painful spasms in the abdomen.

Spiramycin. The drug is taken orally regardless of the time of food consumption. The daily dose of the drug is 6 - 9 million IU (two to three tablets), administered in two to three doses. The daily amount of the drug should not exceed 9 million IU. For children, the dosage is selected by the doctor strictly individually depending on the baby's weight. If the patient has liver pathology, its functional state must be periodically monitored during treatment.

Clarithromycin. For adolescents aged 12 years and older, as well as adults, the prescribed dosage is 0.25 - 0.5 g divided into two daily doses. The duration of the treatment course is usually one to two weeks.

Clarithromycin should not be prescribed to patients with individual intolerance to the components of the drug and to children under 12 years of age.

The course of treatment for toxoplasmosis necessarily includes antihistamines, immunostimulants and immunomodulators. In the case of taking powerful antiparasitic drugs, the entire intestinal microflora suffers. Therefore, to prevent dysbacteriosis, probiotics are necessarily included in the therapy schedule.

Linex (probiotic). The capsule is taken orally immediately after finishing a meal, with the required amount of liquid. It is difficult for children under three years old to swallow the capsule whole. In this case, it is worth opening it, diluting the contents with water and giving it to the child.

All children under two years of age (including infants) are prescribed one capsule three times a day.

For children aged 2 to 12 – one to two capsules three times a day.

For teenagers over 12 and adults – two capsules three times a day.

The duration of treatment largely depends on the clinical picture of the disease itself, as well as on the individual sensitivity of the patient's body to the components included in the drug.

Interferon (immunostimulant). The drug enters the patient's body through the nasal passages by instillation or spraying. The sealed ampoule is opened immediately before use. A little water is poured into the powder and shaken thoroughly, bringing it to a homogeneous solution. Five drops of the immunomodulator are instilled into each nostril, the procedure is repeated twice a day. When using a spray, 0.25 ml of the drug is sprayed into the nasal passages. The interval between doses should not be less than six hours. No obvious contraindications or side effects of taking interferon have been identified.

The course of taking the drug depends on the severity of the pathology and the patient's body's response to the administered medications.

Prevention of toxoplasma

Prevention of any disease is an important measure designed to protect people's health. Prevention of toxoplasma is also important, this issue is especially relevant during the planning and pregnancy (women with weak immunity are at high risk of getting sick). To prevent infection, you can give the following advice:

• When working with the soil, you should protect your hands with gloves. Any wound or crack on the finger can become a "gate" for parasites to penetrate.
• It is worth washing vegetables and fruits thoroughly.
• Maintain personal hygiene: wash your hands before eating, after being outside, using the toilet, and cleaning.
• Wash your hands thoroughly after handling raw meat.
• Eliminate undercooked meat (such as rare steak, dried meat and fish) from your diet.
• Drink only boiled water.
• You should not press animals to your lips and it is necessary to wash your hands with soap after interacting with your pet.
• Periodically undergo examination yourself and submit tests for your pet. This is effective if the animal does not eat raw meat and does not go outside.
• Conduct thermal processing of food products.

As a rule, toxoplasma affects the human body unnoticed and is asymptomatic. Most people, having lived their entire lives, do not know whether they have had toxoplasmosis or not, because the disease does not harm the body, while the body that has recovered produces antibodies that prevent re-infection in the future. But do not delude yourself, especially women preparing to become a mother. To reduce the risk of pathology to a minimum, you should undergo an examination and, if necessary, a course of treatment. And preventive measures and personal hygiene will serve as good protection not only against toxoplasmosis, but also against many other diseases.