Which organism is associated with congenital infection risk through cat litter exposure?

Which organism is associated with congenital infection risk through cat litter exposure?

• A. Toxoplasma gondii
• B. Plasmodium falciparum
• C. Giardia lamblia
• D. Entamoeba histolytica

Answer: (A)

Handling cat litter poses a risk for infection with Toxoplasma gondii, a parasite that can cross the placenta and cause congenital toxoplasmosis. Cats shed oocysts in their feces; if a pregnant person ingests these oocysts—through contaminated hands, soil, or unwashed produce—the infection can be acquired. If maternal infection occurs during pregnancy, the parasite may reach the fetus, potentially leading to serious outcomes such as brain and eye involvement. The risk and severity depend on when the infection happens during gestation, with earlier infections posing a higher risk of fetal loss and later infections more often causing neurologic or ocular issues. The other organisms are not linked to cat litter exposure or typical congenital transmission: Plasmodium falciparum is spread by mosquitoes and causes malaria; Giardia lamblia and Entamoeba histolytica are transmitted via contaminated water or food and are not commonly vertically transmitted in the context of cat litter exposure.

Handling cat litter poses a risk for infection with Toxoplasma gondii, a parasite that can cross the placenta and cause congenital toxoplasmosis. Cats shed oocysts in their feces; if a pregnant person ingests these oocysts—through contaminated hands, soil, or unwashed produce—the infection can be acquired. If maternal infection occurs during pregnancy, the parasite may reach the fetus, potentially leading to serious outcomes such as brain and eye involvement. The risk and severity depend on when the infection happens during gestation, with earlier infections posing a higher risk of fetal loss and later infections more often causing neurologic or ocular issues. The other organisms are not linked to cat litter exposure or typical congenital transmission: Plasmodium falciparum is spread by mosquitoes and causes malaria; Giardia lamblia and Entamoeba histolytica are transmitted via contaminated water or food and are not commonly vertically transmitted in the context of cat litter exposure.