Coccidiose toxoplasmique du chat et toxoplasmose

Toxoplasmosis is due to the infection, intra-cellular multiplication and pathogen actions of Toxoplasma gondii. Two distinct entities could be defined regarding the stages and localizations of the protozoan: Toxoplasma gondii-induced coccidiosis and toxoplasmosis. The consequences in terms of epidemiology public health are very different for these 2 entities. Toxoplasmic coccidiosis only affects cats and other Felidae. It could be compared to other intestinal coccidiosis, with the infection of epithelial cells and the sexual multiplication ended by the formation of the oocysts, shed in the faeces. Toxoplasmosis stricto sensu is due to the asexual multiplication of Toxoplasma gondii in many types of cells (mainly endothelial and nervous cells), first as tachyzoits, secondly as bradyzoits, ending with the formation of cysts. All homothermous vertebrates could be infected (mammals, including humans, and birds). Toxoplasmosis is a very important protozoan infection because it causes economic losses in production animals (mainly in small ruminants, due to the abortions), rarely deaths (in dogs or marsupials like kangaroos), but especially due to the risk of human infection with several consequences (acute toxoplasmosis in immunosuppressed persons, congenital infection in pregnant women). In Europe, the human seroprevalence varies from a country to another but it can reach 10 to 50%. In France, congenital toxoplasmosis is the second congenital disease after trisomy 21, with an average of 2000 infections per year during pregnancy and 700 foetal infections. The encephalitis caused by Toxoplasma gondii affects approximately 40% of individuals with AIDS. Prophylaxis is based on simple measures attempting to limit the circulation of the parasite: industrial nutrition for cats, limitation of feral/stray cats, consumption of well-cooked meat for humans, and cautious wash of vegetables. Vaccination exists neither for cats nor for humans; however, vaccines are available for the sheep, aimed at decreasing abortion prevalence. Treatment and chemoprophylaxis are only used in human or for carnivores; the agent of choice is the clindamycin.