Toxoplasmic bacteria are parasitic microorganisms
(Toxoplasma gondii) that cause in adult humans a flu-like,
harmless, sometimes hardly noticed infection, the so-called
toxoplasmosis.
The
main host of this parasite is the cat.
Infected and sick
cats excrete the bacterial eggs with their faeces
and may contaminate vegetables, salad and fruit in the garden or on
the fields with the parasite. These eggs may also be eaten
by livestock.
Although toxoplasmosis is a relatively harmless disease,
problems may develop if a woman contracts it during her pregnancy
for the first time.
Toxoplasmosis during pregnancy
From the blood the organism enters the placenta. From there it could infect the
child's brain and retina
.
Toxoplasmosis Antibody Test
A test should be taken at the beginning of
a pregnancy by every pregnant woman to rule out
whether she has had a toxoplasmosis infection
before.
