Toxoplasma gondii is a parasite found in a variety of places. That includes contaminated kitchen surfaces or utensils that have come in contact with raw meat, drinking contaminated water, dirt in people's yards and the feces of cats that are infected and, more rarely, an infected organ transplant or blood transfusion.
The researchers found that using low doses of an herbicide on mice stopped them from developing fatal T. gondii infections, according to a statement on Wednesday.
Findings from the study, led by L. David Sibley, Ph.D., professor of molecular microbiology, were published in Nature this week.
T. gondii is related to the parasites that cause malaria. An earlier study had found that the same herbicide also inhibits malaria.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Division of Parasitic Diseases, the symptoms of toxoplasmosis vary and the disease also varies in how severe it is.
Most people who are infected are not aware of it, the flu-like symptoms, such as swollen lymph glands or muscle aches and pains that last for a month or more can be mild.
But severe cases of the disease can damage to the brain, eyes and other organ.
Often people who been infected early in life at some point have a weakened immune system and the disease becomes reactivated in a severe form.
