It is not a worm, and cannot be seen by the naked eye. It is a very small single cell organism that can only be seen under a microscope. It can be found in cat feces and the soil where cats defecate, and by eating raw or uncooked meat from other infected animals, especially beef, pork or lamb.

Toxoplasmosis can affect animals and humans alike. Once an animal is infected, it can never rid itself entirely of toxoplasmosis, although the parasite can remain dormant for the natural life of the animal.

Toxoplasmosis is not dangerous to the normal healthy adult or child. It is only dangerous to humans if their immune systems are under-developed as in the newborn child, or severely impaired as in AIDS. Individuals who are taking immune-suppressant drugs are at risk as well. In these cases, the immune system is unable to stop the spread of the parasite which can cause severe damage.

Many people show no signs and symptoms. Others have symptoms that can include swollen lymph glands, tiredness, headache, sore throat, aching muscles and sometimes fever which can be suggestive of other diseases such as `flu. The lack of any distinct symptoms is the reason why toxoplasmosis is rarely diagnosed in adults.

If a woman contracts the disease during pregnancy, there is a great risk that the child will become infected. If the disease is caught in early pregnancy the fetus can be miscarried or stillborn. Babies that are born with toxo may develop severe symptoms which can include hydrocephalus (an excess of fluid on the brain) and scarring of the brain tissues. Both of these can cause severe mental retardation and epilepsy. Retinochoroiditis (damage to the retina at the back of the eye), can cause partial loss of sight and blindness. It must be stressed that babies born infected may not suffer from all these symptoms and some may not even develop them until later on in life as teens or young adults.

Although Toxoplasma gondii exists in Bermuda, there have been no reported cases in our healthy population. However, persons with AIDS tend to become infected more frequently than other persons whose immune systems may be impaired due to other medical conditions.

Treatment for toxo is a combination of two drugs taken by mouth. Ongoing treatment is necessary since symptoms almost always occur if treatment is stopped.

Most persons on treatment will show a good response within two months of therapy.

Toxoplasma gondii can be prevented by doing the following: Only eat meat which has been cooked thoroughly i.e. well done.

Wash your hands and all cooking utensils and surfaces after preparing raw meat.

Wash fruit and vegetables thoroughly to remove all traces of soil.

Wear rubber gloves when handling dirty cat litter. Clear the cat litter box daily and always wash your hands afterwards. Pregnant women and persons with AIDS should delegate this job to someone else.

Always wear gloves when gardening and always wash your hands afterwards.

Toxoplasmosis can be prevented. For further information, contact your physicians or you can call the Department of Health at 236-0224 ext 326.

Rhonda C.K. Daniels Nurse Epidemiologist Health Department