Toxoplasmosis, Pancreatitis, Obesity and Drug Discovery

Toxoplasmosis, an infectious and inflammatory syndrome, is one of the most important foodborne diseases causing hospitalization and death in U.S.A. Toxoplasma infects nucleated cells including pancreatic and destroys the β cells. Toxoplasma is a Category B classified infection by CDC and NIH, which once infected the organisms reside in tissues in cysts form for the host's lifelong awaiting reactivation. Congenital toxoplasmosis occurs by transplacental transmission during maternal infection or reactivation of organisms and manifests with spontaneous abortion, or severe physical and mental defects. Currently, there is no safe and effective therapeutic modality against congenital toxoplasmosis or the persistent chronic infection. Here, toxoplasmosis and possible involvement of infection in induction of pancreatitis, and an experimental drug efficacy is discussed.