Presence of Toxoplasma gondii tissue cysts in human semen: Toxoplasmosis as a potential sexually transmissible infection

Objectives: Toxoplasma gondii is a widely prevalent protozoan parasite in human populations. This par-asite is thought to be primarily transmitted through undercooked meat and contamination by cat feces. Here, we seek to determine if Toxoplasma gondii cysts can be found within human semen. Methods: We used a mixture of histological and immunofluorescence stains to visualize Toxoplasma gondii cysts in thin smears of human semen. Further, we probed for presence of bradyzoite-specific mRNA tran-scription using in-situ hybridization. Results: We visualized Toxoplasma gondii cysts in ejaculates of immune-competent and latently infected human volunteers. We confirmed the encystment by probing transcription of a bradyzoite-specific gene in these structures. These observations extend previous observations of the parasite in semen of several non-human host species, including rats, dogs, and sheep. Conclusions: Toxoplasma gondii infection is a clinically significant infection, in view of its high prevalence, its purported role in neuropsychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, as well as in the more serious form of congenital toxoplasmosis. Our demonstration of intact Toxoplasma gondii cysts in the ejaculate supports the possibility of sexual transmission of the parasite and provides an impetus for further investigations. (c) 2022 The British Infection Association. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

Using histological and immunofluorescence stains, we identified Toxoplasma gondii cysts in thin smears of human semen. The presence of bradyzoite-specific gene transcription confirmed the encystment. This study expands previous findings of the parasite in semen of non-human host species and emphasizes the importance of further investigations into the potential sexual transmission of Toxoplasma gondii.