What is a common method of zoonotic transmission of toxoplasmosis?

What is a common method of zoonotic transmission of toxoplasmosis?

• A. Cats! (cleaning litter box when they've shed Toxoplasma in poop)
• B. Dogs
• C. Birds
• D. Water

Answer: (A)

Toxoplasma gondii is most often transmitted to humans through exposure to oocysts shed in cat feces. Cats are the definitive hosts, and their litter box can become contaminated with these infectious oocysts. When people clean a litter box, handle soil, or come into contact with contaminated surfaces and then don’t wash their hands, they can ingest the oocysts. This direct exposure during litter box cleaning is the common real-world route of zoonotic transmission. While eating undercooked meat containing tissue cysts or contaminated water can also spread toxoplasmosis, handling cat litter remains the typical household source of infection. Using gloves or rigorous hand hygiene after litter box tasks dramatically reduces risk, and pregnant individuals take extra precautions due to the potential for congenital infection.

Toxoplasma gondii is most often transmitted to humans through exposure to oocysts shed in cat feces. Cats are the definitive hosts, and their litter box can become contaminated with these infectious oocysts. When people clean a litter box, handle soil, or come into contact with contaminated surfaces and then don’t wash their hands, they can ingest the oocysts. This direct exposure during litter box cleaning is the common real-world route of zoonotic transmission. While eating undercooked meat containing tissue cysts or contaminated water can also spread toxoplasmosis, handling cat litter remains the typical household source of infection. Using gloves or rigorous hand hygiene after litter box tasks dramatically reduces risk, and pregnant individuals take extra precautions due to the potential for congenital infection.