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The
correct answer is D, all of the above. Toxoplasma gondii
belongs to the family Sarcocystidae, suborder Eimeriina, order Eucoccidia
of the phylum Apicomplexa. It has a life cycle presenting different
stages, including oocysts (the infective stage) that measure 9 to 11 µm
in width by 11 to 14 µm in length containing two sporocysts and
tachyzoites that are approximately 2 to 3 µm wide by 4 to 8 µm
long. Human infection may be acquired in several ways: 1) accidental
ingestion of oocysts shed in cat feces; 2) ingestion of undercooked meat
containing T. gondii cysts; 3) organ transplantation or blood transfusion;
4) transplacental transmission; 5) accidental inoculation of T. gondii
tachyzoites. House cats (family Felidae) are the definitive hosts for
T. gondii and play an important role in the transmission of this
disease.
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