Diagnosis and treatment of toxoplasmosis in cats

Abstract

Toxoplasmosis is a disease caused by Toxoplasma gondii, an obligate intracellular protozoan with considerable pathology in animals and humans. The parasite is found in various ecosystems and is defined as a zoonosis. Usually this parasitosis is asymptomatic and the clinical forms depend on the immunity of the host, the mode of transmission and the sources of Toxoplasma gondii (Rosangela Aparecida Muller de Barroset al., 2022) . The definitive host is cat which has on important role in the spread of the disease because approximately several milion unsporulated oocysts are eliminated through the feces. Emphasis is placed on quick and clear diagnosis to prevent the consequences of this parasitosis that plays an important role worldwide (Mohammad T. Rahimi et al., 2015). The diagnosis and treatment differ depending on the specificity of each organism, thus they are particulatized depending on which system or organ is affected. The diagnosis consists of parasitological, immunological and molecular methods. Fist time, the diagnosis of toxoplasmosis is based on a complet anamnesis and identification of IgM, IgG and IgA. Toxoplasma is expressed most often through ocular and nervous system diseases (Christelle Pornares, Jose G. Montoya, 2016). The form of contamination is represented by oocysts eliminated through the feces of infected cats. To date, no specific treatment against toxoplasmosis in cats has been approved. Drugs such as clindamycin, pyrimethamine, sulfonamides or trimethoprim but also anti-inflammatory are used individually or in combination to treat parasitosis, but the effectiveness differs depending on the patient (Mohammad T. Rahimi et al., 2015).