Toxoplasma gondii

**Semantic type:** Eukaryote

**Definition:** A species of obligate intracellular, parasitic protozoa in the family Sarcocystidae. Birds and rodents act as intermediate hosts with wild and domestic cats acting as the definitive hosts. Animals bred for human consumption may also become infected with tissue cysts after ingestion of sporulated oocysts in the environment. Humans may become infected by ingestion of contaminated meat or water or through contact with feline feces. More rarely, infection may occur by congenital transmission or by receiving infected infected blood or organs.

**Synonyms:** - TOXOPLASMA GONDII