| Toxoplasma | A genus of parasitic protozoa. T. Gondii is an intracellular parasite whose intermediate host includes human, the final host being felines of many species. Causes toxoplasmosis in humans in which the parasite finally locates in tissues such as brain, heart, the eye causing serious and sometimes fatal lesions. (18 Nov 1997) |
|---|---|
| toxoplasma antibody titre | A test which measures the presence of antibodies against Toxoplasma in the blood. This test is used to detect congenital or postnatal toxoplasmosis or to screen pregnant women for the presence of Toxoplasma antibodies. The presence of antibodies before pregnancy probably protects the foetus against congenital toxoplasmosis. Antibodies against Toxoplasma that are developed during pregnancy may indicate a congenital infection (increased risk of birth defects and spontaneous abortion). (27 Sep 1997) |
| Toxoplasma gondii | An abundant, widespread sporozoan species (family Toxoplasmatidae) that is an intracellular, nonhost-specific parasite in a great variety of vertebrates. It develops its sexual cycle, leading to oocyst production, exclusively in cats and other felids; proliferative stages (tachyzoites) and tissue cysts (containing bradyzoites) develop in a wide variety of animal species that acquire the infection from ingestion of oocysts, tissue cysts from infected meat, or by transplacental migration, leading to infection in utero. Origin: G. Toxon, bow or arc, + plasma, anything formed (05 Mar 2000) |
| toxoplasma test | <investigation> A test which measures the presence of antibodies against Toxoplasma in the blood. This test is used to detect congenital or postnatal toxoplasmosis or to screen pregnant women for the presence of Toxoplasma antibodies. The presence of antibodies before pregnancy probably protects the foetus against congenital toxoplasmosis. Antibodies against Toxoplasma that are developed during pregnancy may indicate a congenital infection (increased risk of birth defects and spontaneous abortion). (27 Sep 1997) |
| Toxoplasmatidae | A family of coccidian sporozoa including the genera Toxoplasma and Frankelia, characterised by endodyogeny and by the presence of cysts (sometimes termed pseudocysts) containing bradyzoites in parenteral cells of the host; schizonts and gamonts are produced in intestinal cells, and gamonts give rise to oocysts. Final hosts of Toxoplasma are cats and other felids; final hosts of Frankelia are unknown. (05 Mar 2000) |
| toxoplasmosis | <microbiology> An acute or chronic, widespread disease of animals and humans caused by the obligate intracellular protozoon Toxoplasma gondii, transmitted by oocysts containing the pathogen in the faeces of cats (the definitive host), usually by contaminated soil, direct exposure to infected faeces, tissue cysts in infected meat or tachyzoites (proliferating forms) in blood. (18 Nov 1997) |
| toxoplasmosis, animal | Acquired infection of non-human animals by organisms of the genus toxoplasma. (12 Dec 1998) |
| toxoplasmosis, cerebral | Infection caused by the protozoan toxoplasma that presents itself in a subacute fashion with headache, focal neurologic signs, seizures, or altered mental status which can progress to coma. This condition is a commonly encountered opportunistic infection in aids patients. (12 Dec 1998) |
| toxoplasmosis, congenital | Congenital infection with toxoplasma gondii characterised by lesions of the central nervous system. (12 Dec 1998) |
| toxoplasmosis, ocular | Infection caused by the protozoan parasite toxoplasma in which there is extensive connective tissue proliferation, the retina surrounding the lesions remains normal, and the ocular media remain clear. Chorioretinitis may be associated with all forms of toxoplasmosis, but is usually a late sequel of congenital toxoplasmosis. The severe ocular lesions in infants may lead to blindness. (12 Dec 1998) |
| toxopyrimidine | 4-amino-5-hydroxymethyl-2-methylpyrimidine;one of the products resulting from the hydrolysis of thiamin by thiaminase and appearing in the urine; a competitive inhibitor of pyridoxal. Synonym: pyramin, pyramine. (05 Mar 2000) |
| toxotes | <zoology> A genus of fishes comprising the archer fishes. See Archer fish. Origin: NL, fr. Gr. An archer. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |