Fig. 1

Life cycle of T. gondii and routes to the human. aT. gondii sexually reproduces in cats where oocysts are shed in feces. b, c Once sporulated, the oocysts become infectious and can be transmitted to rodents or birds via contaminated food or water sources. d In these hosts, T. gondii bradyzoites develop in the brain, skeletal muscle and heart, among other tissues, which are transmitted back to the cat if consumed. e Infection of a human can occur via consumption of meat containing bradyzoites or contaminated food, water, or contact with cat litter. Figure created with BioRender.com