Mind Control Master: Toxoplasma's Life Cycle

Erscheinungsjahr 2024
ISBN: 978-3-384-22102-5
Verlag: tredition

Buch, Englisch, 136 Seiten, Format (B × H): 155 mm x 234 mm, Gewicht: 243 g

Toxoplasmosis, a widespread parasitic infection, affects up to a third of the world's population. Caused by the Toxoplasma gondii parasite, it has a unique two-stage life cycle. Cats, the definitive hosts, harbor the sexual stage, shedding infectious oocysts in their feces. These oocysts can contaminate soil and be ingested by warm-blooded animals, including humans, initiating the asexual stage. In humans, a healthy immune system keeps the parasite dormant, often with no symptoms.
However, toxoplasmosis can be serious for pregnant women and those with weakened immunity. It can cause miscarriage, birth defects, and eye problems. The parasite's ability to manipulate host behavior in rodents, possibly increasing their predation risk by cats, raises concerns about similar effects in humans. Understanding its global spread and complex life cycle is crucial for preventing its potentially devastating impact.

Zielgruppe

Toxoplasmosis, a parasite infecting a third of the world, has a cat-centric life cycle. Cats shed infectious cysts that contaminate soil and are ingested by humans and animals. Healthy individuals show no symptoms, but it can be severe for pregnant women and those immunocompromised. Its global reach and potential dangers highlight the need to understand its spread and cycle.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Shiva

Über Autor(innen)

Shiva
Professor Shiva, for your Parasitology course, I'd like to propose "Mind Control Master: Toxoplasma's Life Cycle." This book isn't your typical parasite text. It dives into the fascinating world of Toxoplasma gondii, a microscopic manipulator with a complex life cycle. We'll explore how this parasite infects warm-blooded animals, including humans, and delve into the science behind its potential to alter host behavior.

The book meticulously dissects each stage of Toxoplasma's journey, from its formation in cats to its cunning methods of infecting other hosts. We'll analyze how it spreads and how it might impact the nervous system. But "Mind Control Master" goes beyond the creepy factor. It explores the evolutionary adaptations that allow Toxoplasma to thrive and the ongoing research on potential links between infection and neurological conditions. This book is a captivating read for anyone interested in parasites, public health, and the mysteries of their complex life cycles and potential effects on their hosts.