toxoplasma

noun

toxo·​plas·​ma ˌtäk-sə-ˈplaz-mə 

: any of a genus (Toxoplasma) of parasitic protozoans that are typically serious pathogens of vertebrates

toxoplasmic

ˌtäk-sə-ˈplaz-mik 

adjective

Examples of toxoplasma in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Royal Society paper, written by an international team led by Stefanie K. Johnson, an associate professor of management at the University of Colorado Boulder, goes a step further by linking toxoplasma to entrepreneurship. —Mark Barna, Discover Magazine, 25 July 2018

The type of toxoplasma found in their bodies, known as COUG, was first discovered in Canadian mountain lions in 1995. —Tim Stelloh, NBC News, 24 Mar. 2023

Johnson emphasizes that the studies do not prove that the infection causes career risk-taking, in the same way other studies do not show causality between toxoplasma and car accidents and psychological issues. —Mark Barna, Discover Magazine, 25 July 2018

Of the students, 326 tested positive for toxoplasma. —Mark Barna, Discover Magazine, 25 July 2018

And, in most cases, only young cats pass feces contaminated with toxoplasma eggs (oocysts). —Star Tribune, 6 Nov. 2020

Maybe toxoplasma and its host are still getting to know each other, which could be bad news for monk seals. —Kim Steutermann Rogers, Smithsonian, 9 July 2018

Further, cats can pose a risk to public health by spreading diseases such as rabies and toxoplasma. —National Geographic, 20 Sep. 2016

Word History

Etymology

New Latin

First Known Use

1926, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

toxoplasma

noun

toxo·​plas·​ma ˌtäk-sə-ˈplaz-mə 

1

capitalized : a genus of sporozoans that are typically serious pathogens of vertebrates

2

plural toxoplasmas or toxoplasmata -mət-ə  also toxoplasma : any microorganism of the genus Toxoplasma

toxoplasmic

-mik 

adjective