Definition

Noun: 1. A disease caused by infection: Toxoplasmosis is an infectious disease caused by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii. 2. A condition with specific transmission and risks: This infection is often transmitted to humans from infected cats or through undercooked meat. It is of particular concern because if contracted by a pregnant woman, it can cause serious harm to the developing fetus.

Usage Examples

• General Infection: "The doctor diagnosed the patient's flu-like symptoms as a mild case of toxoplasmosis."
• Pregnancy Concern: "Pregnant women are advised to avoid cleaning cat litter boxes to reduce the risk of toxoplasmosis."
• Source of Infection: "Consuming undercooked pork is a potential source of toxoplasmosis infection."

Advanced Usage

• Congenital Toxoplasmosis: Refers specifically to the infection passed from a mother to her fetus during pregnancy, which can lead to severe neurological or ocular damage in the infant.
  • Example: "Screening programs aim to detect and manage congenital toxoplasmosis early."

Variants and Related Words

• Toxoplasmic (adjective): Relating to or caused by toxoplasmosis.
  • Example: "The scan showed evidence of toxoplasmic encephalitis."

Synonyms

• Parasitic infection (general)
• Zoonotic disease (a disease transmitted from animals to humans)

Notes on Meaning

While the core definition is a parasitic infection, the term toxoplasmosis strongly implies the specific parasite (Toxoplasma gondii) and its known routes of transmission (cats, undercooked meat) and serious risks during pregnancy. It is not used for general infections.

Noun

1. infection caused by parasites transmitted to humans from infected cats; if contracted by a pregnant woman it can result in serious damage to the fetus