| Function |
Toxoplasma gondii, a single-celled parasite, causes the disease toxoplas-
mosis. The life cycle of Toxoplasma gondii includes two phases, called the
intestinal (or enteroepithelial) and extraintestinal phases. The intestinal phase
produces oocysts and occurs only in wild and domesticated cats. The extra-
intestinal phase occurs in all infected animals and produces tachyzoites
(actively proliferating trophozoites) and, eventually, bradyzoites (slowly grow
ing trophozoites) or zoitocysts. Toxoplasma gondii infects tissue of the gastro
intestinal tract; an active infection is accompanied by fever and enlargement
of the spleen. Transmission of Toxoplasma gondii from pregnant women to
their fetus can result in severe consequences. |