General Medical Information

Toxoplasmosis

Mark C. Littlejohn
Byron J. Bailey
John K. Yoo

Infection with Toxoplasma gondii occurs by ingestion of oocyst-containing cat feces or infected poorly cooked lamb or pork. Although most patients are asymptomatic, clinically overt disease may manifest in almost any organ, including the central nervous system. Diagnosis is confirmed by IgM and a fourfold increase in IgG in the acute phase. Pyrimethamine plus trisulfapyrimidines is the treatment regimen of choice.