Toxoplasma & Bartonella

[trintiybella]

Can these both be from cats?

[SSS]

YES.

[beeskneesmommy]

Yup.

[tpotter]

Yes.

[rowingmom]

I have been wondering about the toxoplasma thing myself because 1) DD has bartonella and 2) she has a strange and horrible affinity for cats.

[trintiybella]

can toxoplasma be passed from mother to child in utero?

[rowingmom]

Yes, that's why you're not supposed to change the kitty litter if you are pregnant.

[trintiybella]

I never changed kitty litter, while pregnant.. I did not even have the cat around. Could I have had the toxoplasma in my system already. Also are tests accurate when they test for this. Are there false positives?

[aidansmom]

A couple of years ago I had a problem with my eye - increased floaters, turned red like it was infected, didn't feel right. I was referred to a Retina Specialist who could see what the problem was. He said it was probably Toxoplasma and he could see an infection and he saw scar tissue around the same place as my current infection. The scar tissue showed that I had had probably obtained the infection previously - who knows when - anytime in my life and it laid dormant until it reactivated. He did not run tests on me but said he was pretty sure it was toxoplasma. He prescribed about 5 weeks of antibiotics - wish I could remember which antibiotic. It was before we treated pandas/Lyme for Aidan otherwise I would be familiar with the antibiotic. I wonder if toxo is a player in my son's condition.. We just recently ran a blood test to look for antibodies for toxo in Aidan - awaiting results. A new doctor we saw ordered these tests. He also looked into my eyes with a light and could see the area that had been affected.

[tpotter]

A couple of years ago I had a problem with my eye - increased floaters, turned red like it was infected, didn't feel right. I was referred to a Retina Specialist who could see what the problem was. He said it was probably Toxoplasma and he could see an infection and he saw scar tissue around the same place as my current infection. The scar tissue showed that I had had probably obtained the infection previously - who knows when - anytime in my life and it laid dormant until it reactivated. He did not run tests on me but said he was pretty sure it was toxoplasma. He prescribed about 5 weeks of antibiotics - wish I could remember which antibiotic. It was before we treated pandas/Lyme for Aidan otherwise I would be familiar with the antibiotic. I wonder if toxo is a player in my son's condition.. We just recently ran a blood test to look for antibodies for toxo in Aidan - awaiting results. A new doctor we saw ordered these tests. He also looked into my eyes with a light and could see the area that had been affected.

Very possibly does play a role in your son's condition.

[SSS]

This post won't win me friends with cat lovers. I have a very strong suspicion that I got my Lyme/ Bart/ parasites from trying to tame a family of feral cats outside my front door 16 years ago (bit/scratched). No memory of tick bite, ever (tested Lyme and Bart positive- currently undergoing/ ongoing parasite treatments)

 

Dr. Kling. is no cat lover; his quotes:

' Cats are forbidden. They carry toxoplasmosis, viruses, Bartonella, XMRV-like viruses, etc.'

'Cats are not safe for us. Dogs of Lyme disease owners have average lifespan of 8 years vs. 12-14. If there is a plague on the world right now, it is cats. Dogs carry Bartonella but attract bugs to them rather than to their owners. They have parasites. Dog owners need to be de-wormed twice a year.'

(Below from a woman attending Dr. Kling. seminar)

He believes that bartonella is one of many critters that prefer humans to their feline hosts. The bugs jump and the whole family gets sick. Solution: Not cats on the bed or sofa. They belong outside where they can catch mice, their reason for existence!

 

Excerpt from an article 'How your cat is making you crazy' The Atlantic (on Toxoplasma).

( Strong article! Don't read/look up if you think it might be too much.)

 

'Webster is more circumspect, if not downright troubled. “I don’t want to cause any panic,” she tells me. “In the vast majority of people, there will be no ill effects, and those who are affected will mostly demonstrate subtle shifts of behavior. But in a small number of cases, [Toxo infection] may be linked to schizophrenia and other disturbances associated with altered dopamine levels—for example, obsessive-compulsive disorder, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, and mood disorders. The rat may live two or three years, while humans can be infected for many decades, which is why we may be seeing these severe side effects in people. We should be cautious of dismissing such a prevalent parasite.” '

 

 

** sorry to be DebyDowner on the kitties. I know, I used to love them, too. But no more :-/. Now, don't all go and run them to the shelter, but just be aware-

[rowingmom]

I remember having a Parasitology prof at university who had a hate on for felines as well .

[LaurenK]

Can you only get it from kitty litter or the actual animal?

[SSS]

I really don't want to make everyone paranoid (sorry, too much information sometimes)

seems possible from actually cat, depending...

[cobbiemommy]

Used to love cats, even had two indoor cats for a time. Since I and DS are allergic, we gave them away. DS has Bartonella that we are cannot seem to clear. No more cats for us, ever!