Toxoplasmosis

a) The microorganism and its characteristics
a. scientific name of the organism (genus and species)
b. Gram reaction, shape if applicable
c. Any specific feature, such as spore-forming, strict anaerobic, extreme motility, very fastidious, intracellular bacteria, opportunistic pathogen?

b) known virulence factors of this pathogen
a. toxins? What kind? If exotoxins are made, what do they do?
b. Spreading Enzymes? What do they do?
c. Mechanisms to evade host defense?

c) Describe the disease caused by this pathogen
a. What are the major clinical symptoms?
b. Describe the progression of disease.
c. Are there different forms of the disease? ( such as cutaneous vs intestinal, infant vs adult forms, etc)
d. Mortality rate if any

d) Transmission and epidemiology
a. how is this pathogen transmitted to hosts;
b. What is its reservoir?
c. What kind of people are at risk for this disease?
d. Is it a rare disease? What is the occurrence of this disease in the US if this is a reportable disease?

e) Disease diagnosis
a. What specimen is usually collected from patients?
b. Explain what the test is all about. Bacterial ID culture? Blood test for what? Skin test for what?

f) How is this disease treated or how are the symptoms managed?
a. What kind of drugs are used?
b. Treatments other than drugs?

g) Disease Prevention
a. any vaccine? Any antitoxin used?
b. Any preventive methods? ( such as insect repellent, handwashing, etc