Dangerous Parasite Gains New Attention In Battles Against AIDS, Bioterrorism
Toxoplasmosis is a disease caused by the
parasite Toxoplasma gondii. Symptoms
usually appear only in people with weakened immune systems, but on rare occasions, healthy people suffer serious eye and central nervous system problems from toxoplasmosis.
Their babies can have birth defects. White said
toxoplasmosis also may be linked to some cases of schizophrenia and bipolar disease. It can kill livestock and has devastated efforts to restore sea otters near Monterey, Calif. Because it's common, yet complex, toxoplasmosis is a
potential weapon for bioterrorists. People usually acquire toxoplasmosis by eating commercial meat or drinking water that's contaminated with Toxoplasma gondii, White said. They can also pick it up by handling soil or anything that has come in contact with cat feces.
"It's a complex cell just likes ours in terms of metabolism and biochemistry, which makes it a tough nut to crack," White said.
The recently-published studies show that molecular interactions between the parasite and host directly regulate the disease's severity, White said. Genes from the parasite also disrupt signals in the host's immune system and control the establishment of life-long chronic disease.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases...1221073311.htm