By Scott Weese on Posted in MRSA/MRSP,Parasites,Salmonella,ToxoplasmosisPresentations from the 2015 Centre for Public Health and Zoonoses (CPHAZ) Symposium are now on YouTube on the Worms & Germs Blog channel. There is a wide range of talks, including topics such as West Nile virus, Lyme disease, salmonellosis, MRSA, Toxoplasma and various other zoonotic diseases.… Continue Reading
By Scott Weese on Posted in Cats,ToxoplasmosisThere’s been a lot of discussion about toxoplasmosis and mental health over the past few weeks in response to a paper in Schizophrenia Research (Torrey et al 2015). Some internet sources are having a great time writing “crazy cat lady” and similar headlines. But is there any substance to it? Yes, and no. The science… Continue Reading
By Scott Weese on Posted in Cats,ToxoplasmosisA recent column by pediatrician Dr. T. Berry Brazelton has caused quite a stir. Dr. Brazleton is apparently a very well known syndicated columnist, and he answered a question from a reader about her pregnant daughter and her cats. The reader was concerned about the cats lying on the baby. However, Dr. Brazleton focused on… Continue Reading
By Maureen Anderson on Posted in Cats,Other diseases,ToxoplasmosisEveryone is familiar with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) – the retrovirus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) in people. Although HIV can only infect humans and some primates, cats can be infected by a very similar virus from the same genus (Lentivirus) with a similar name – feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV). The FIV virus… Continue Reading
By Scott Weese on Posted in Cats,ToxoplasmosisThere is a degree of risk of disease transmission from any contact with an animal, just as there is from any contact with another person. Some of the diseases involved are minor or even insignificant, while others are potentially devastating. And the risk can change in certain situations, such as pregnancy. A developing fetus is… Continue Reading
By Maureen Anderson on Posted in Cats,ToxoplasmosisToxoplasma gondii is one of the most widespread zoonotic pathogens in the world. Toxoplasma is a protozoal parasite that can infect almost any warm-blooded animal, including humans. In most people and animals, infection doesn’t cause any illness at all, and after the initial infection, the body usually produces strong immunity which protects it from subsequent… Continue Reading
