Once infected, a person carries Toxoplasma for life.
This microscopic creature is capable of infecting any mammal or bird, and people across all continents are infected . So far, we don't have a drug that can eradicate the parasite from the body. And there is no vaccine approved for use in humans.
When the feces are ingested by livestock while grazing, parasites lodge in the muscle and survive there after the animals are slaughtered for meat. Humans can become infected by eating this meat, or by eating fresh produce or drinking water soiled by cats. It is also possible for a woman infected for the first time during pregnancy to pass the infection to her unborn child.
Contrary to much that is written about ocular toxoplasmosis, medical research shows this condition usually affects healthy adults . However, in aged persons or people with a weakened immune system, or when contracted during pregnancy, it can be more severe. How many eyes?Ophthalmologists and optometrists are quite familiar with managing ocular toxoplasmosis. But the extent of the problem is not widely recognised, even by the medical community. The number of Australians with ocular toxoplasmosis had never been measured, until now.
In addition to pet cats, Australia has huge populations of feral cats . And Australia is home to a lot of farmland, including over 50% of the global organic farming area .How the condition is treatedTo diagnose ocular toxoplasmosis, a retina examination is necessary, ideally with the pupils dilated.