From the Guidelines
Toxoplasma gondii is not typically diagnosed by detecting trophozoites in stool.
Key Points About Toxoplasma gondii Infection
- Transmission routes: Toxoplasma gondii can be acquired through contact with soil contaminated with cat feces, eating undercooked meat from infected animals, drinking unpasteurized raw milk, drinking contaminated water, or receiving an infected organ transplant or blood transfusion 1.
- Immunocompromised individuals: Toxoplasma gondii can cause necrotizing encephalitis in immunocompromised individuals.
- Diagnosis: The statement about diagnosis by detecting trophozoites in stool is false, as the typical diagnosis of Toxoplasma gondii infection involves serologic tests, PCR, or histopathological examination 1.
- Transmission through undercooked meat: Toxoplasma gondii can be transmitted through eating undercooked meat from infected animals, especially pork, lamb, or venison 1.
- Acquired through organ transplantation: Toxoplasma gondii can be acquired through receiving an infected organ transplant, although this is rare 1.
From the Research
Toxoplasma gondii Infection
- Toxoplasma gondii can be acquired through organ transplantation, as evidenced by a study that found skin grafts and various organs infected with T. gondii can be sources of infection in immunocompromised hosts 2.
- T. gondii can cause necrotizing encephalitis in immunocompromised individuals, which can be life-threatening 3, 4.
- The diagnosis of toxoplasmosis is typically established by direct detection of the parasite or by serological techniques, not by detecting trophozoites in stool 3.
- T. gondii can be transmitted through undercooked meat, as the parasite can be found in tissue cysts in the meat of infected animals 5, 6, 3, 4.
False Statement
- The statement that is false regarding Toxoplasma gondii is that it is diagnosed by detecting trophozoites in stool, as this is not a typical method of diagnosis 3.