Clinical Significance

    Toxoplasma (Tox) refers to the genus Toxoplasma, which includes the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii. This parasite is known for causing toxoplasmosis, a disease that can affect humans and other warm-blooded animals.

    Toxoplasma gondii has a complex life cycle involving two types of hosts: definitive hosts (where the parasite reproduces sexually) and intermediate hosts (where it reproduces asexually).  The definitive hosts are usually members of the cat family, while intermediate hosts can be a wide range of warm-blooded animals, including humans.