anatomicdeadspace:This image shows a Toxoplasma gondii abscess in the brain, which would appear as
anatomicdeadspace: This image shows a Toxoplasma gondii abscess in the brain, which would appear as a ring-enhancing lesion on radiologic imaging with a CT scan. Toxoplasma gondii is a parasite that is known for relying on domestic cats for completion of its reproductive cycle, but can infect any warm blooded animals and has the potential to cause the illness toxoplasmosis is humans. It is thought that 30-50% of the worlds population may be infected with this parasite. Toxoplasmosis is mainly asymptomatic, flu like symptoms during the initial stage of infection can be experienced and cysts can form in organ tissues during the latent stage. The abscesses seen above would result from severe toxoplasmosis infection that would be seen in immunosuppressed individuals, such as people with AIDS. This severe form can cause headaches, confusion, seizures, tuberculosis like symptoms of the lungs and encephalitis (inflammation of the brain). Cats carry and I have no doubt that I am infected with this, honestly. I’ve just known too many cats. -- source link