The prevalence of oocyst shedding in cats is very low (0-1%), even though at least 15-40% of cats have been infected with Toxoplasma at some point. This means very few cats at any one time are actually able to pass their infection on to people.
It is unlikely that you would be exposed to the parasite by touching an infected cat because cats usually do not carry the parasite on their fur. In addition, cats kept indoors (that do not hunt prey or are not fed raw meat) are not likely to be infected with Toxoplasma.
The overall positive rates of Toxoplasma gondii in stray cats were 38.9% (28/72), with 15.3% (11/72) in ELISA and 30.6% (22/72) in PCR. The positive rate in male stray cats was slightly higher than that of female stray cats.
T. gondii infects essentially all cats that spend any time outdoors. Cats get this parasite by eating small animals or raw meat that's infected. The parasite is then passed on through the cat's feces.
Cats who have been infected with toxoplasmosis will frequently have no symptoms. A smaller number of cats might develop diarrhea, or respiratory problems, or even problems with their eyes. The majority of cats, though, will be permanently infected with the parasite and show no outward signs of illness.
If you have an indoor cat who only eats cat food and doesn't have contact with outside animals, your risk of toxoplasmosis is very low.
Although toxoplasmosis is a relatively common infection, it usually causes no disease in infected cats. However, if the cat is immunocompromised and its immune system is not working properly, Toxoplasma may continue to replicate, spread, and cause damage to tissues.
Of those who are infected however, very few have symptoms because a healthy person's immune system usually keeps the parasite from causing illness. However, pregnant women and individuals who have compromised immune systems should be cautious; for them, a Toxoplasma infection could cause serious health problems.
Symptoms of Toxoplasmosis in Cats
After being exposed to Toxoplasma, most cats become immune and may never show any signs. A smaller proportion of cats may develop mild diarrhea and lose their appetite. Toxoplasma can also negatively impact a cat's liver, lungs and nervous system.
You may get infected if you touch your mouth after touching anything that has been in contact with cat feces. This may be gardening or cleaning a litter box. Contaminated food or water. Undercooked beef, lamb, pork, venison, chicken and shellfish are all known carriers of the parasite.
Statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show that cats are rarely a source of disease, and that it is unlikely for anyone to get sick from touching or owning a cat.
More than 40 million people in the United States may have the parasite. Very few people have symptoms because a healthy immune system usually keeps the parasite from causing an infection. However, toxoplasmosis can cause health problems for you and your baby during pregnancy.
A total of 14,181 cases were included in the analysis, of which 3831 (27.0%) were seropositive for T. gondii antibody. The median follow-up time of the whole cohort was 22.5 (interquartile range 16.3, 24.5) years. A total of 5082 deaths were observed in this cohort, a mortality rate of 35.8%.
In the United States, the incidence of acute maternal toxoplasmosis infection during pregnancy is estimated at 0.2% to 1.0%. Congenital fetal toxoplasmosis in the United States ranges from 1 to 2 per 10,000 live births.
After a cat has been infected, it can shed the parasite for up to two weeks. The parasite becomes infective one to five days after it is passed in the feces of the cat.
You can become infected with Toxoplasma by: Eating raw or partially cooked pork, lamb, or venison. Accidentally touching your hands to your mouth after gardening or cleaning a cat's litter box. Touching your hands to your mouth after handling raw or undercooked meat.
Toxoplasmosis is usually diagnosed based on a cat's history, signs of illness, and laboratory test results. Measurement of two types of antibodies to T. gondii in the blood, IgG and IgM, can help diagnose toxoplasmosis.
Testing your cat
If you are pregnant, or are planning on becoming pregnant, you might want to have your cat tested for toxoplasmosis. The test checks for antibodies to Toxoplasma parasites.
Toxoplasmosis in cats
Although infection with T gondii rarely causes disease in cats, signs of illness can sometimes be seen and these include: Fever, loss of appetite, weight loss, lethargy. Pneumonia causing breathing difficulties. Inflammatory eye problems (uveitis and retinitis)
Risks to your baby's breathing
Never allow cats into any room where a baby or child is sleeping. A cat may settle to sleep near a baby's face. This is very dangerous. It could interfere with your baby's breathing.
The toxoplasma parasite can infect your placenta and your baby and cause a condition called congenital toxoplasmosis, but it's very rare for this to happen. Of all babies born, between one in 10,000 and one in 30,000 are born with congenital toxoplasmosis .
No. You should follow these helpful tips to reduce your risk of environmental exposure to Toxoplasma: Avoid changing cat litter if possible.
Adults can become infected after by eating raw or undercooked meat infected with Toxoplasma gondii tissue cysts. People can only become infected with Toxoplasma gondii parasites through contact with infected animal faeces (usually cat faeces).
Can I clean the litter box while pregnant if I wear a mask? You can safely clean a litter box while pregnant by wearing a mask and other protective gear such as gloves. It's important to protect yourself against all kinds of harmful bacteria when you're pregnant.
Toxoplasma and Cats:
Cats that eat raw meat or rodents can be infected, and the parasite lives in the cat's feces for only two weeks. If infected cat feces is buried in soil, Toxoplasma gondii eggs can live up to 18 months.