toxoplasmosis
noun
toxo·plas·mo·sis
ˌtäk-sə-ˌplaz-ˈmō-səs 
plural toxoplasmoses
ˌtäk-sə-ˌplaz-ˈmō-ˌsēz
: infection of humans, other mammals, or birds with disease caused by a toxoplasma (Toxoplasma gondii) that invades the tissues and may seriously damage the central nervous system especially of infants
Examples of toxoplasmosis in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Most people with this infection have little or no symptoms, but there is a unique risk to pregnant women because toxoplasmosis can be transmitted through the placenta.
—
Katia Hetter, CNN, 29 Feb. 2024
One environmental factor may be an infectious agent, such as the common parasite Toxoplasma gondii, which causes toxoplasmosis.
—Bill Sullivan, Discover Magazine, 2 Jan. 2024
Most people with latent toxoplasmosis show no obvious signs of disease despite having parasite cysts in their brain.
—Bill Sullivan, Discover Magazine, 2 Jan. 2024
Pregnant people are not supposed to change cat litter because of toxoplasmosis, an infection caused by a parasite found in cat feces; the risk of preterm birth or miscarriage is small but serious.
—Hazlitt, 30 Aug. 2023
Another line of research has focused on a potential link between toxoplasmosis and schizophrenia.
—Gustavo Arrizabalaga and Bill Sullivan, Scientific American, 1 Mar. 2015
If the heart donor has toxoplasmosis, Koomalsingh says, the medical team plans medications for the recipient after the operation.
—Christian Thorsberg, Discover Magazine, 14 Mar. 2022
The name might be obscure, but CMV is the leading infectious cause of birth defects in America—far ahead of toxoplasmosis from cat litter or microbes from hamsters.
—Sarah Zhang, The Atlantic, 13 June 2023
To prevent any toxoplasmosis infection, the CDC recommends typical food safety practices such as cooking foods to a high internal temperature, rinsing fruits and vegetables and washing utensils.
—Jamie Gumbrecht, CNN, 24 Mar. 2023
Katia Hetter, CNN, 29 Feb. 2024
One environmental factor may be an infectious agent, such as the common parasite Toxoplasma gondii, which causes toxoplasmosis.
—Bill Sullivan, Discover Magazine, 2 Jan. 2024
Most people with latent toxoplasmosis show no obvious signs of disease despite having parasite cysts in their brain.
—Bill Sullivan, Discover Magazine, 2 Jan. 2024
Pregnant people are not supposed to change cat litter because of toxoplasmosis, an infection caused by a parasite found in cat feces; the risk of preterm birth or miscarriage is small but serious.
—Hazlitt, 30 Aug. 2023
Another line of research has focused on a potential link between toxoplasmosis and schizophrenia.
—Gustavo Arrizabalaga and Bill Sullivan, Scientific American, 1 Mar. 2015
If the heart donor has toxoplasmosis, Koomalsingh says, the medical team plans medications for the recipient after the operation.
—Christian Thorsberg, Discover Magazine, 14 Mar. 2022
The name might be obscure, but CMV is the leading infectious cause of birth defects in America—far ahead of toxoplasmosis from cat litter or microbes from hamsters.
—Sarah Zhang, The Atlantic, 13 June 2023
To prevent any toxoplasmosis infection, the CDC recommends typical food safety practices such as cooking foods to a high internal temperature, rinsing fruits and vegetables and washing utensils.
—Jamie Gumbrecht, CNN, 24 Mar. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'toxoplasmosis.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
New Latin
First Known Use
1926, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near toxoplasmosis
Cite this Entry
“Toxoplasmosis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/toxoplasmosis. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
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Medical Definition
toxoplasmosis
noun
toxo·plas·mo·sis
-ˌplaz-ˈmō-səs
plural toxoplasmoses
-ˌsēz
: infection with or disease caused by a sporozoan of the genus Toxoplasma (T. gondii) that invades the tissues and may seriously damage the central nervous system especially of infants
More from Merriam-Webster on toxoplasmosis
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about toxoplasmosis
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