Acquired toxoplasmosis

Ophthalmology. 1982 Dec;89(12):1299-302. doi: 10.1016/s0161-6420(82)34629-1.

Abstract

An outbreak of systemic toxoplasmosis occurred in October 1977 in Atlanta, Georgia. Thirty-seven people became ill and/or had serologic evidence of acute infection. Epidemiologic study by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) suggested that toxoplasma oocysts from infected cats in a riding stable were the source of infection. Aerolization of oocysts or hand-to-mouth contact were the presumptive means of transmission. All patients were examined and followed for over a year, without evidence of toxoplasma retinochoroiditis. In a four-year follow-up study, only one patient had shown evidence of ocular disease. This suggests that at least some sporadic cases are due to acquired toxoplasmosis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cats
  • Child
  • Disease Outbreaks / epidemiology*
  • Disease Reservoirs
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Georgia
  • Humans
  • Toxoplasmosis / epidemiology*
  • Toxoplasmosis, Animal / epidemiology
  • Toxoplasmosis, Ocular / diagnosis*
  • Toxoplasmosis, Ocular / epidemiology