EXOone Toxoplasma gondii

Description

Toxoplasma gondii belongs to the phylum Apicomplexan and is the etiological agent of Toxoplasmosis, a very important zoonosis with a worldwide distribution. This obligated intracellular parasite can affect a broad range of domestic and wild animals.

The infection is generally asymptomatic, but it can cause abortions and it is especially important in immunocompromised individuals and pregnant female. In aborting sheep, goats and pigs, T. gondii is often difficult to find in tissue sections, but is more likely to be seen in sections of brain and placenta. Recently, molecular assays with increased sensitivity and specificity than conventional diagnostic methods have improved detection of this pathogen.