Aspects of Toxoplasma-like parasitism in small mammal species in Transylvania and their role in Toxoplasma dissemination

Authors: Daniel GHEOCA*, Alex HĂRÂNGLĂVEAN, Voichiţa GHEOCA
Affiliation: Department of Ecology and Environmental Protection, “Lucian Blaga” University, Sibiu

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ABSTRACT. Toxoplasmosis is one of the most severe zoonosis, due to the forms developed in immunodepressed individuals and during trasplacentar transmission, considering also the numerous transmission ways and its prevalence in human populations. The paper shows the presence of Toxoplasma Toxoplasma-like cysts and pseudocysts in different tissues from six species of small mammals captured in different localities and habitats. The presence of oocysts in the feces of four small mammal species proves that these animals can disseminate the unsporulated oocysts in the environment. The cysts from the tissues may be a source of infection for the pigs from the individual households, increasing the contamination risk for humans.

Keywords: small mammals, parasitology, Toxoplasma gondii, dissemination, zoonosis