- Malaria Research
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Toxoplasma Research Community
Communitytoxoplasma research community
Why Toxoplasma is important
Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan (single-celled) parasite that has permanently infected tens of millions of people in the world. A normal immune response typically controls infection promptly, but the parasite persists as a latent cyst within host tissues. Tissue cysts can form in brain, heart, and skeletal muscle tissue. If immunity should become compromised due to disease (such as AIDS) or immunosuppressive therapies (e.g., cancer chemotherapy or organ transplantation), the acute stage of infection may recrudesce. Thus, Toxoplasma is a significant opportunisitc pathogen. However, there are instances when Toxoplasma threatens normal, healthy individuals as well. For example, Toxoplasma can cause abortion or congenital birth defects; this may occur if a woman becomes infected for the first time during pregnancy. Additionally, emerging studies have demonstrated intriguing alterations in host organism behavior upon infection, or correlations with neurological disorders such as schizophrenia.
Toxoplasma infection may be picked up from cats (the definitive host) or contaminated food/water. People at significant risk (HIV+ or pregnant individuals) should cook meat thoroughly, wash vegetables, and avoid cat litter boxes and gardening.
Get Involved With an Open Research Project
If you're studying Toxoplasma, I encourage you to make all or portions of your project open. Invite others to help or add their thoughts to your project. Simply create a "child page" to our current project page to begin. Or if you're still in the brainstorming phase, post a blog and invite others you know working in the field to participate online.