While pet cats may make such ideal companions at home, these domesticated animals may also pose a health risk for pregnant mothers who could become sick or risk a miscarriage because of a common cat parasite.
According to the Mayo Clinic, toxoplasmosis occurs when there is an infection caused by the Toxoplasma gondii parasite, the most common cat parasite in the world. Exposure to this parasite may come from infected cat feces that could easily transmit to the mother and the baby in her womb.
More than 40 million Americans may carry the cat parasite and do not even know it because toxoplasmosis does not manifest symptoms for generally healthy individuals or those with no compromised immunities. Most people also do not need any treatment.
However, the parasite's infection must never be disregarded in vulnerable patients because it can lead to serious complications. Aside from a potential miscarriage in pregnant moms, the baby might also develop health issues like jaundice, eye infection, enlarged liver or spleen, seizures, hearing loss, and mental disabilities.
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How pregnant moms may be infected with toxoplasmosis
A healthy cat with the Toxoplasma gondii parasite will also not show any symptoms. But, as with humans, if they have low immunities, they could present signs like fever, loss of appetite, lethargy, jaundice, eye inflammation, seizures, and abnormal behavior. These symptoms are a lot similar to what vulnerable humans may experience.
According to the Insider, the Toxoplasma gondii parasite may enter the cat's body by eating raw meat or other infected prey. The parasite comes out through their feces.
Humans may come in contact with the parasite if they clean the litter box and then forget to wash their hands. A pregnant mom, however, won't have the infection by simply petting or allowing an infected cat to lick their skin. Thus, the experts advise expectant moms to avoid handling the cat's litter box in their household, especially during the first trimester.
Similarly, a pregnant mom may also be infected with the parasite if they eat unproperly cooked pork, unpasteurized dairy products, or unwashed fruits and vegetables. If they love to garden, they may also accidentally ingest the parasite.
In some extreme cases, parasite infection may occur because of an organ transplant or blood transfusion, as well as during pregnancy.
Potential drug for toxoplasmosis may soon be ready
Meanwhile, the University of Kentucky experts are confident that their work on a drug against the Toxoplasma gondii parasite could soon benefit pregnant moms and other people with compromised immunities. There are existing FDA-approved therapies that help with the symptoms of the infection, but there are still no drugs that specifically target the parasite's form, the TgLaforin.
The research team said that their drug had been proven to inhibit TgLaforin. They are working with four other laboratories to fine-tune the drug's chemistry and potentially generate the very first anti-Toxoplasma drug.
The scientists are planning to progress their study for testing on animals. They published their findings in the Journal of Biological Chemistry.
