Toxoplasmosis and pregnancy

TOXOPLASMOSIS (pronounced Tox-o-plaz-mo-sis) is a disease that occurs worldwide in both humans and a wide range of animals. It is an infection caused by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii. 

The parasite spreads to humans in undercooked or raw meat and in soil or vegetables contaminated with infected cat faeces or cat litter. Although Toxoplasma gondii is commonly found in many animals, it is only in the cat’s gut that the male and female parasites come together to produce one of the infective forms. If these are swallowed by a suitable host (for example, humans) then infection may follow.