Catastrophic consequences: can the feline parasite Toxoplasma gondii prompt the purrfect neuroinflammatory storm following traumatic brain injury?

摘要

Life cycle of T. gondii and routes to the human. aT. gondii sexually reproduces in cats where oocysts are shed in feces. b, c Once sporulated, the oocysts become infectious and can be transmitted to rodents or birds via contaminated food or water sources. d In these hosts, T. gondii bradyzoites develop in the brain, skeletal muscle and heart, among other tissues, which are transmitted back to the cat if consumed. e Infection of a human can occur via consumption of meat containing bradyzoites or contaminated food, water, or contact with cat litter. Figure created with BioRender.com