what is Toxoplasma gondii.

*Toxoplasma gondii* is a parasitic protozoan that causes the infection known as toxoplasmosis. It can infect most warm-blooded animals, including humans, but cats are the primary hosts where the parasite reproduces. Toxoplasmosis is usually asymptomatic in healthy individuals but can cause serious complications in immunocompromised people and during pregnancy, potentially leading to congenital defects.

Humans typically acquire *Toxoplasma gondii* through:

- Consuming undercooked or contaminated meat

- Contact with contaminated soil or water

- Handling cat litter containing the parasite's eggs (oocysts)

Once infected, the parasite can remain dormant in the body for life, often in muscle and brain tissues.

*Toxoplasma gondii* can be dangerous under certain conditions, especially in the following groups:

### 1. **Immunocompromised individuals (e.g., people with HIV/AIDS, cancer, or on immunosuppressive drugs):**

   - In these individuals, a *Toxoplasma gondii* infection can reactivate, leading to severe complications such as **toxoplasmic encephalitis**, which affects the brain, causing seizures, confusion, coordination issues, and potentially life-threatening outcomes.

   - Other organs like the lungs and heart may also be affected.

### 2. **Pregnant women and their unborn children:**

   - If a woman becomes infected during pregnancy (particularly in the first trimester), the parasite can cross the placenta and infect the fetus. This can lead to **congenital toxoplasmosis**, which can result in:

     - **Miscarriage or stillbirth**

     - **Birth defects** such as brain damage, vision problems, seizures, or developmental delays.

### 3. **Acute infections in healthy individuals:**

   - In healthy people, the infection is usually asymptomatic or mild, but in some cases, it can cause flu-like symptoms such as fever, muscle aches, and swollen lymph nodes.

   - Rarely, it may cause complications like eye infections, leading to **ocular toxoplasmosis**, which can result in vision loss.

While most infections remain latent and don’t cause noticeable symptoms, the parasite can become dangerous under the right conditions, especially if the immune system is compromised.