toxoplasma

American  

[tok-suh-plaz-muh] / ˌtɒk səˈplæz mə /

noun

plural

toxoplasmata, toxoplasmas

1. any protist of the genus Toxoplasma, especially T. gondii, the causative agent of toxoplasmosis.

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Other Word Forms

• toxoplasmic adjective

Etymology

Origin of toxoplasma

< New Latin Toxoplasma (1909); toxo-, plasma

Example Sentences

Researchers at the University of California, Riverside have discovered that Toxoplasma gondii, a widespread parasite estimated to infect up to one-third of the world's population, is far more intricate than scientists once believed.

From Science Daily

"For decades, the Toxoplasma life cycle was understood in overly simplistic terms, conceptualized as a linear transition between tachyzoite and bradyzoite stages," Wilson said.

From Science Daily

"Because mice are a natural intermediate host for Toxoplasma, their brains can harbor thousands of cysts. By isolating these cysts, digesting them enzymatically, and analyzing individual parasites, we were able to gain a view of chronic infection as it occurs in living tissue."

From Science Daily

"Our work changes how we think about the Toxoplasma cyst," she said.

From Science Daily

The paper is titled "Bradyzoite subtypes rule the crossroads of Toxoplasma development."

From Science Daily