toxoplasmosis

American  

[tok-soh-plaz-moh-sis] / ˌtɒk soʊ plæzˈmoʊ sɪs /

noun

Pathology.

1. infection with the parasite Toxoplasma gondii, transmitted to humans by consumption of insufficiently cooked meat containing the parasite or by contact with contaminated cats or their feces: the illness produced is usually mild, but in pregnant women may damage the fetus.

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toxoplasmosis British  

/ ˌtɒksəʊplæzˈməʊsɪs /

noun

1. a protozoal disease characterized by jaundice, enlarged liver and spleen, and convulsions, caused by infection with Toxoplasma gondii

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toxoplasmosis Scientific  

/ tŏk′sō-plăz-mō′sĭs /

1. An infectious disease caused by the protozoan Toxoplasma gondii that can be transmitted by infected humans and animals, especially cats, often by contact with feces. Toxoplasmosis can be a mild illness with fever and swollen lymph nodes, or progress to severe damage to the liver, heart, lungs, and brain. Fetuses that become infected during pregnancy may have congenital blindness and brain damage.

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Other Word Forms

• toxoplasmic
  adjective

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Etymology

Origin of toxoplasmosis

1925–30; < New Latin Toxoplasm ( a ) ( see toxoplasma) + -osis

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

toxoplasmosis

Shkreli came to prominence a decade ago for buying the rights to Daraprim, a drug used to treat a rare parasitic infection known as toxoplasmosis that primarily affects people who are immunocompromised.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 13, 2026

Initially they thought it was toxoplasmosis, external, an infection spread through contact with infected cat faeces.

From BBC ● Jun. 30, 2026

Carr falls down stairs, eats a poisoned meal and contracts toxoplasmosis, which the show jokes could threaten his “freedom of speech.”

From Salon ● Sep. 25, 2025

Symptoms of toxoplasmosis can be aggravated by a hyperactivated human immune response.

From Science Daily ● May 31, 2024

What’s so odd is that even with Frida and the toxoplasmosis and this man who should terrify me for so many reasons, I feel more at home than I have anywhere for so long.

From "I'll Give You the Sun" by Jandy Nelson

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