An infectious parasite associated with cat feces, known as Toxoplasma gondii breeds using eggs known as oocysts. Researchers from Johns Hopkins University Medical Center have found that oocyst parasite eggs are quite common with potentially anywhere between 3 and 434 oocysts per square foot of dirt.

An infectious parasite associated with cat feces, known as Toxoplasma gondii breeds using eggs known as oocysts.
Researchers from Johns Hopkins University Medical Center have found that oocyst parasite eggs are quite common with potentially anywhere between 3 and 434 oocysts per square foot of dirt.

They took samples of dirt from around the world in places like California, China, Brazil, Panama, and Poland, and found that the oocysts are widespread.

It only takes exposure to one oocyst to potentially get an infection.

Doctor E. Fuller Torrey who worked on the study said: “This should raise the public health concerns about the number of T. gondii oocysts being distributed in the environment, especially as we do not know the limits of oocyst viability or the true relationship between these oocysts and the human diseases with which they have recently been associated.”

The T. gondii parasite has been linked with mental health issues like schizophrenia, and obsessive compulsive disorder, but experts have yet to prove the connection.

It can also cause toxoplasmosis, which carries flu-like symptoms along with blurry vision.