infectious diseases
Toxoplasmosis
Prevention of Toxoplasmosis
Washing hands thoroughly after handling raw meat, soil, or cat litter is essential to help prevent toxoplasmosis. Food possibly contaminated with cat feces should be avoided. Meat should be cooked to 165 to 170° F (73.9 to 76.7° C). Pregnant women are advised to avoid contact with cats. If contact is unavoidable, pregnant women should at least avoid cleaning cat litter boxes or wear gloves when doing so. Gloves should also be worn while gardening to avoid contact with soil. Primary chemoprophylaxis is recommended for patients with HIV and a positive IgGT. gondiiserologic test once CD4 cell counts are<100/mcL.Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole one double-strength tablet once a day, which also is prophylactic againstPneumocystis jirovecii, is typically used. If this dosage is not tolerated, alternatives are one double-strength tablet 3 times a week or one single-strength tablet once a day. Alternatives for patients who cannot toleratetrimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole at all includedapsone50 mg once a day pluspyrimethamine50 mg once a week andleucovorin25 mg once a week; ordapsone200 mg once a week pluspyrimethamine75 mg once a week plusleucovorin25 mg once a week. Chemoprophylaxis is continued until the CD4 cell count is > 200/mcL. 