tox·o·plas·mo·sis  (tŏk'sō-plāz-mō'sĭs)  n. pl. tox·o·plas·mo·ses (-mō'sēz) A disease caused by the sporozoan Toxoplasma gondii, especially: a. A congenital disease characterized by lesions of the central nervous system that can cause blindness and brain damage. |
| toxoplasmosis (tŏk'sō-plāz-mō'sĭs) Pronunciation Key
An infectious disease caused by the protozoan Toxoplasma gondii that can be transmitted by infected humans and animals, especially cats, often by contact with feces. Toxoplasmosis can be a mild illness with fever and swollen lymph nodes, or progress to severe damage to the liver, heart, lungs, and brain. Fetuses that become infected during pregnancy may have congenital blindness and brain damage. |