Toxoplasmosis News and Research

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Toxoplasmosis is considered to be the third leading cause of death attributed to foodborne illness in the United States. More than 60 million men, women, and children in the U.S. carry the Toxoplasma parasite, but very few have symptoms because the immune system usually keeps the parasite from causing illness. However, women newly infected with Toxoplasma during pregnancy and anyone with a compromised immune system should be aware that toxoplasmosis can have severe consequences for them.

Government seeks views on proposed changes to the Health Protection Notification Regulations 2010

The Health Protection Notification Regulations 2010 (HPNR) help us respond promptly to suspected cases of infectious disease that could have an impact on public health.

13 Jul 2023

Research reveals detrimental effects of maternal dengue infections on birth outcomes

Detrimental effects of all severities of maternal dengue infections on birth outcomes have been discovered in a new research study from the University of Surrey and the University of Birmingham.

11 Jul 2023

Study reveals human population density and climate factors drive spread of Toxoplasma gondii through feline feces

A significant correlation between human population density, temperature variation, and the prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii shedding in domestic and wild cats

27 Jun 2023

Disorientating the malaria parasite to prevent its replication and transmission

With almost 250 million cases a year, 621,000 of them fatal, malaria remains a major public health problem, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa.

16 Jun 2023

Recurrent cases of ocular toxoplasmosis more likely to occur in women

Women are more likely to experience recurrent cases of the Toxoplasma parasite, according to new Flinders University research.

1 Jun 2023

Study shows how Toxoplasma parasite successfully spreads in the body

The parasite Toxoplasma is carried by a large portion of the global human population. Now a study led by researchers at Stockholm University shows how this microscopic parasite so successfully spreads in the body, for example to the brain

28 Oct 2022

SARS-CoV-2 infection in mothers does not have a significant teratogenic effect

Scientists determine that infection with SARS-CoV-2 during the first trimester of pregnancy does not increase the risk of any specific congenital malformations.

9 Aug 2022

Ocular toxoplasmosis found to be common among Australians

One in 150 Australians have retinal scars caused by the Toxoplasma parasite, according to new Flinders University analysis.

16 May 2022

Clemson researchers discover a promising therapy for people suffering from toxoplasmosis

Many doctors caution their pregnant patients to avoid cat feces; even the family pet's litter box is off-limits. Now, a group of researchers from Clemson University have discovered a promising therapy for those who suffer from toxoplasmosis, a disease caused by the microscopic protozoa Toxoplasma gondii.

11 May 2022

A 100% French nasal vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 to move into the clinical phase in 2022

In contrast to intramuscular vaccines, only nasal vaccines are able to block the virus in the nose by inducing local immunity in the nasal mucosa, i.e. the portal of entry and multiplication of the virus.

18 Sep 2021

Researchers identify key role of enzyme essential for invasion of the toxoplasmosis parasite

Scientists from the universities of Geneva and Zurich and the PSI have identified the structure and functions of RON13, an enzyme of the toxoplasmosis parasite that is essential for the infectious mechanism in humans.

24 Jun 2021

Zoonotic and vector-borne emerging tropical diseases pose a constant threat

A recent article published in the journal Frontiers in Tropical Diseases assessed the threat of emerging zoonotic and vector-borne tropical diseases.

26 May 2021

A new handbook for treating infections in pregnant patients

Pregnancy and Anti-Infective Agents is a concise clinical reference that facilitates health consultants and professionals for determining treatment options for some common prenatal and postpartum infections during pregnancy and the puerperium in patients.

4 Jan 2021

Invasive alien species threaten biological diversity, shows study

The raccoon, raccoon dog, mink, and golden jackal are not native to Germany or Europe but are increasingly spreading in these non-native regions.

8 Dec 2020

Parasite infection discovery could help develop treatments for neurological disorders

New research into how a common parasite infection alters human behavior could help development of treatments for schizophrenia and other neurological disorders.

16 Nov 2020

Researchers create multi-functional nano-vaccine to prevent toxoplasmosis

Fighting clever parasites requires smart vaccines that can trigger critical immune responses. A University of Chicago-based research team has found a novel way to do that.

14 Oct 2020

Molecular stilts help deadly parasites to invade host cells

In biological terms, gliding refers to the type of movement during which a cell moves along a surface without changing its shape. This form of movement is unique to parasites from the phylum Apicomplexa, such as Plasmodium and Toxoplasma.

13 Oct 2020

Discovery could have important implications for brain infections, neurodegenerative diseases

More than 30 million Americans are infected with a brain parasite spread by cats and contaminated meat, but most will never show symptoms.

31 Jul 2020

Maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection not harmful in first trimester pregnancies

A new Danish study published on the preprint server medRxiv in June 2020 shows that infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in early pregnancy does not carry an increased risk of fetal harm.

10 Jun 2020

A lead compound can significantly reduce or eliminate toxoplasmosis and malaria

Toxoplasma gondii infection is one of the most frequent parasitic infections of humans. This parasite is present in the brain of an estimated two billion people--about 40 percent of all humans on earth. It is endemic throughout the world, causing water and food-borne epidemics that result in toxoplasmosis.