Ksena Longrin
@ksenart.bsky.social
Chemist~neuroscientist~parasitologist @EdinburghUni. Part of Joanna Young lab. Here for microscopy and bioimaging, i.e. cool shots of dead or alive.
What does your vet say?
February 13, 2025 at 12:53 AM
What does your vet say?
Personally, I'd invest in the litter tray that prevents contents getting out. I saw some models on amazon... The problem with toxo in cats poo is that it remains infectious for months. so, potentially, your kittens may get reinfected when accidently eating the rouge contaminated piece laying around
February 13, 2025 at 12:53 AM
Personally, I'd invest in the litter tray that prevents contents getting out. I saw some models on amazon... The problem with toxo in cats poo is that it remains infectious for months. so, potentially, your kittens may get reinfected when accidently eating the rouge contaminated piece laying around
I'd advise washing your hands up to your elbow and never let kittens lick/bite you.
Remember that human infection, especially in immunocompetent people, is often asymptomatic, and it takes only 2 weeks for the parasite to convert from curable acute stage into incurable cysts in your brain.
Remember that human infection, especially in immunocompetent people, is often asymptomatic, and it takes only 2 weeks for the parasite to convert from curable acute stage into incurable cysts in your brain.
February 13, 2025 at 12:39 AM
I'd advise washing your hands up to your elbow and never let kittens lick/bite you.
Remember that human infection, especially in immunocompetent people, is often asymptomatic, and it takes only 2 weeks for the parasite to convert from curable acute stage into incurable cysts in your brain.
Remember that human infection, especially in immunocompetent people, is often asymptomatic, and it takes only 2 weeks for the parasite to convert from curable acute stage into incurable cysts in your brain.
2) from cat's saliva making contact with your mucus membranes (mouth/nose/eyes) or open wounds (including microcuts or deep tissue cracks), usually through licking. This is because cats always clean their butt, abs and some parasites will end up in their mouth.
February 13, 2025 at 12:35 AM
2) from cat's saliva making contact with your mucus membranes (mouth/nose/eyes) or open wounds (including microcuts or deep tissue cracks), usually through licking. This is because cats always clean their butt, abs and some parasites will end up in their mouth.
Hey, they're infectious, to which degree - I don't know, for this vets/labs usually do parasite count from cat's poo. But in any case, there's two main routes you'll get infected: 1) from handling litter and then not washing your hands/nails really thoroughly (see NHS/doctor guidance on hand wash)
February 13, 2025 at 12:31 AM
Hey, they're infectious, to which degree - I don't know, for this vets/labs usually do parasite count from cat's poo. But in any case, there's two main routes you'll get infected: 1) from handling litter and then not washing your hands/nails really thoroughly (see NHS/doctor guidance on hand wash)
Glad I helped 😊
For the past 3 years I have been working as a Parasitologist, yes. But I can't fully identify as one because I also did research in auditory neuroscience as a PhD, and studied Chemistry and Chemical engineering during my masters... So, yeah, I do struggle with self-identification XD
For the past 3 years I have been working as a Parasitologist, yes. But I can't fully identify as one because I also did research in auditory neuroscience as a PhD, and studied Chemistry and Chemical engineering during my masters... So, yeah, I do struggle with self-identification XD
January 21, 2025 at 1:15 AM
Glad I helped 😊
For the past 3 years I have been working as a Parasitologist, yes. But I can't fully identify as one because I also did research in auditory neuroscience as a PhD, and studied Chemistry and Chemical engineering during my masters... So, yeah, I do struggle with self-identification XD
For the past 3 years I have been working as a Parasitologist, yes. But I can't fully identify as one because I also did research in auditory neuroscience as a PhD, and studied Chemistry and Chemical engineering during my masters... So, yeah, I do struggle with self-identification XD
Or maybe you're into kissing the fur of your cat, which it just finished cleaning, just after its butt. Now the thing is on your lips, in contact with your saliva.
...
Welcome to Toxoplasmosis, made by the most successful of parasites!
...
Welcome to Toxoplasmosis, made by the most successful of parasites!
January 20, 2025 at 8:29 PM
Or maybe you're into kissing the fur of your cat, which it just finished cleaning, just after its butt. Now the thing is on your lips, in contact with your saliva.
...
Welcome to Toxoplasmosis, made by the most successful of parasites!
...
Welcome to Toxoplasmosis, made by the most successful of parasites!
Regarding infections, let's not forget cats, the prime transmitters and the main threat to humans. Think twice of not washing your hands thoroughly after changing the litter. One tiny bit of their faeces under the tip of your nail - and you're infected after accidentaly scratching your eyelid.
January 20, 2025 at 8:25 PM
Regarding infections, let's not forget cats, the prime transmitters and the main threat to humans. Think twice of not washing your hands thoroughly after changing the litter. One tiny bit of their faeces under the tip of your nail - and you're infected after accidentaly scratching your eyelid.
If not treated within 2 weeks, your immune system makes them transform from acute stage to chronic, and parasites encapsulate in your brain and muscles. They sit in these tiny capsules forever, but can burst out when the immune system is down. Toxoplasmosis is cause #1 of death in HIV patients...
January 20, 2025 at 8:21 PM
If not treated within 2 weeks, your immune system makes them transform from acute stage to chronic, and parasites encapsulate in your brain and muscles. They sit in these tiny capsules forever, but can burst out when the immune system is down. Toxoplasmosis is cause #1 of death in HIV patients...
Despite the high number of infections, toxoplasmosis is often underdiagnosed. Approximately 90% of infections in immunocompetent (healthy) individuals are asymptomatic or present with nonspecific symptoms, making diagnosis challenging.
January 20, 2025 at 8:20 PM
Despite the high number of infections, toxoplasmosis is often underdiagnosed. Approximately 90% of infections in immunocompetent (healthy) individuals are asymptomatic or present with nonspecific symptoms, making diagnosis challenging.
If woman is pregnant and never had toxoplasmosis before, during the first trimester it often leads to stillbirth; after the first trimester, infection is associated with chorioretinitis, hydrocephalus, and intracranial calcifications.
January 20, 2025 at 8:20 PM
If woman is pregnant and never had toxoplasmosis before, during the first trimester it often leads to stillbirth; after the first trimester, infection is associated with chorioretinitis, hydrocephalus, and intracranial calcifications.
In healthy people it can cause months of severe muscle pain, tiredness, reduced vision or even blindness (ocular toxoplasmosis). In immunocompromised (HIV, autoimmune diseases and others) it causes encephalitis, chorioretinitis, and intercranial calcifications (extra bones in your brain).
January 20, 2025 at 8:11 PM
In healthy people it can cause months of severe muscle pain, tiredness, reduced vision or even blindness (ocular toxoplasmosis). In immunocompromised (HIV, autoimmune diseases and others) it causes encephalitis, chorioretinitis, and intercranial calcifications (extra bones in your brain).
Although indeed carriers, humans do not transmit the disease, unless you're into cannibalism, of course. Toxoplasmosis is a foodborne disease. You can get it from undercooked meat, shellfish or unwashed vegetables (including packed salads from your local store - 2024 survey saw 30% of them positive)
January 20, 2025 at 8:05 PM
Although indeed carriers, humans do not transmit the disease, unless you're into cannibalism, of course. Toxoplasmosis is a foodborne disease. You can get it from undercooked meat, shellfish or unwashed vegetables (including packed salads from your local store - 2024 survey saw 30% of them positive)
Many thanks! I challenge your statement about prior knowledge, though :) You most probably heard of Toxoplasmosis, especially in terms of how bad it is for pregnant women. A fun fact - toxoplasma infects 1/3 of human population, 1 in 10 in the UK...
January 20, 2025 at 3:18 PM
Many thanks! I challenge your statement about prior knowledge, though :) You most probably heard of Toxoplasmosis, especially in terms of how bad it is for pregnant women. A fun fact - toxoplasma infects 1/3 of human population, 1 in 10 in the UK...
Heh, byproduct of curiosity - give me a microscope and I won't be hungry for 10 hours straight :D
January 10, 2025 at 6:08 PM
Heh, byproduct of curiosity - give me a microscope and I won't be hungry for 10 hours straight :D
I realise Bluesky is not the best for science communication, so if you want same pics but with more explanation using normal language, check my Instagram (@keskeseno) or LinkedIn pages (www.linkedin.com/in/ksena-bon...)
www.linkedin.com
January 10, 2025 at 5:55 PM
I realise Bluesky is not the best for science communication, so if you want same pics but with more explanation using normal language, check my Instagram (@keskeseno) or LinkedIn pages (www.linkedin.com/in/ksena-bon...)
So although the main research data was coming from the bottom of the brain slice, my protein of interest was also present in Purkinje neurons in the cerebellum above, so I often took pics of this region, especially when working with disease mouse models (coordination and movement problems)...
January 10, 2025 at 5:52 PM
So although the main research data was coming from the bottom of the brain slice, my protein of interest was also present in Purkinje neurons in the cerebellum above, so I often took pics of this region, especially when working with disease mouse models (coordination and movement problems)...
Nae worries, this is what I'm here for :) this image is from my PhD days, when I worked with mouse models trying to decipher origins of tinnitus. Part of your central hearing system is located right below the cerebellum, in the brain region called brainstem.
January 10, 2025 at 5:46 PM
Nae worries, this is what I'm here for :) this image is from my PhD days, when I worked with mouse models trying to decipher origins of tinnitus. Part of your central hearing system is located right below the cerebellum, in the brain region called brainstem.
This is mouse cerebellum, and big round things are neurons responsible for balance and coordination :)
January 10, 2025 at 5:38 PM
This is mouse cerebellum, and big round things are neurons responsible for balance and coordination :)