The Apicomplexan Parasite Toxoplasma gondii

Toxoplasma gondii is a ubiquitous zoonotic parasite with an obligatory intracellular lifestyle. It relies on specialized set of cytoskeletal and secretory organelles for host cell invasion. When infecting its felid definitive host, T. undergoes sexual reproduction in the intestinal epithelium, producing oocysts that are excreted feces sporulate environment. In other hosts and/or tissues, multiplies by asexual reproduction. Rapidly dividing tachyzoites expand through multiple particularly nervous muscular eventually convert to slowly bradyzoites which produce tissue cysts, structures evade immune system remain infective within host. Infection normally occurs ingestion sporulated or cysts. While able infect virtually all warm-blooded animals, most infections humans asymptomatic, clinical disease occurring often immunocompromised fetuses carried seronegative mothers infected during pregnancy.