Figure 1. Toxoplasma gondii Life Cycle and Human Infection

Humans predominantly acquire T. gondii infection by either having contact with infected cat feces contaminated with T. gondii oocyts or by ingestion of T. gondii tissue cysts undercooked or raw red meat. Cats can also become infected by consuming tissue cysts in undercooked or raw red meat. After humans ingest T. gondii, the infection can spread throughout the body. Among HIV-infected persons, latent T. gondii infection in the brain can reactivate with severe immunosuppression and cause Toxoplasma encephalitis.

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