Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Toxoplasma gondii: history and diagnostic test development.
- Journal:
- Animal health research reviews
- Year:
- 2015
- Authors:
- Wyrosdick, Heidi M & Schaefer, John J
- Affiliation:
- Department of Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences · United States
Plain-English summary
Toxoplasma gondii is a tiny organism that can cause an infection called toxoplasmosis in both people and animals. It's one of the most common infections worldwide because it can infect a wide variety of hosts and is often found in the environment. Even though there's a lot of research on this parasite, many aspects of how to diagnose and manage the infection are still not well understood, especially in animals. Veterinarians have fewer testing options compared to doctors, so it's really important to carefully interpret the results of the tests that are available. This review highlights the history and ongoing development of diagnostic tests for Toxoplasma gondii, which can help veterinarians and public health officials create better treatment and control plans for affected animals.
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoa that causes toxoplasmosis in people and other animals. It is considered one of the most common parasitic infections in the world due to its impressive range of hosts, widespread environmental contamination and the diverse means by which animals can be infected. Despite its ubiquity and numerous ongoing research efforts into both its basic biology and clinical management, many aspects of diagnosis and management of this disease are poorly understood. The range of diagnostic options that is available for veterinary diagnostic investigators are notably more limited than those available to medical diagnosticians, making accurate interpretation of each test result critical. The current review joins other reviews on the parasite with a particular emphasis on the history and continued development of diagnostic tests that are useful for veterinary diagnostic investigations. An understanding of the strengths and shortcomings of current diagnostic techniques will assist veterinary and public health officials in formulating effective treatment and control strategies in diverse animal populations.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26568360/