Definitions for toxoplasma
tox·o·plas·ma

WiktionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. toxoplasmanoun

   Any member of the genus Toxoplasma of parasitic sporozoans.

2. Etymology: From the genus name.

WikipediaRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. toxoplasma

   Toxoplasma gondii () is an obligate intracellular parasitic protozoan (specifically an apicomplexan) that causes toxoplasmosis. Found worldwide, T. gondii is capable of infecting virtually all warm-blooded animals,: 1  but felids are the only known definitive hosts in which the parasite may undergo sexual reproduction.In rodents, T. gondii has been shown to alter behavior in ways that increase the rodents' chances of being preyed upon by felids. Support for this "manipulation hypothesis" stems from studies showing that T. gondii-infected rats have a decreased aversion to cat urine while infection in mice lowers general anxiety, increases explorative behaviors and increases a loss of aversion to predators in general. Because cats are the only hosts within which T. gondii can sexually reproduce, such behavioral manipulations are thought to be evolutionary adaptations that increase the parasite's reproductive success since rodents that do not avoid cat habitations will more likely become cat prey. The primary mechanisms of T. gondii–induced behavioral changes in rodents occur through epigenetic remodeling in neurons that govern the relevant behaviors (e.g. hypomethylation of arginine vasopressin-related genes in the medial amygdala, which greatly decrease predator aversion). In humans, particularly infants and those with weakened immunity, T. gondii infection is generally asymptomatic but may lead to the serious illness toxoplasmosis.: 77  T. gondii can initially cause mild, flu-like symptoms in the first few weeks following exposure, but otherwise, healthy human adults are asymptomatic.: 77  This asymptomatic state of infection is referred to as a latent infection, and it has been associated with numerous subtle behavioral, psychiatric, and personality alterations in humans. Behavioral changes observed between infected and non-infected humans include a decreased aversion to cat urine (but with divergent trajectories by gender) and an increased risk of several psychiatric disorders – particularly schizophrenia and bipolar disorder; preliminary evidence suggests that T. gondii infection may induce some of the same alterations in the human brain as those observed in rodents. Many of these associations have been strongly debated and newer studies have found them to be weak concluding:"On the whole, there was little evidence that T. gondii was related to increased risk of psychiatric disorder, poor impulse control, personality aberrations, or neurocognitive impairment." T. gondii is one of the most common parasites in developed countries; serological studies estimate that up to 50% of the global population has been exposed to, and may be chronically infected with, T. gondii; although infection rates differ significantly from country to country. Estimates have shown the highest IgG seroprevalence to be in Ethiopia, at 64.2%, as of 2018.

U.S. National Library of MedicineRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Toxoplasma

   A genus of protozoa parasitic to birds and mammals. T. gondii is one of the most common infectious pathogenic animal parasites of man.

How to pronounce toxoplasma?

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How to say toxoplasma in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of toxoplasma in Chaldean Numerology is: 7

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of toxoplasma in Pythagorean Numerology is: 1

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References

1. ^ Wiktionary
   https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Toxoplasma
2. ^ Wikipedia
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toxoplasma