Toxoplasma gondii is one of the most successful parasites in the world, estimates range anywhere from 30% up to 70% of all warm blooded mammals have been infected inlcuding humans. In almost all cases there are next to no syptoms and the host may never know they have it inside them. However as we have learned more of this parasite it may not be that benign. Acute infections of the brain, spine, and even the eye can lead to some startling and tentative symptoms. Studies on rodents, and some precarious ones on humans, have shown that those infected show signs of behavoir and pattern changes stemming from alterations in the brain, essentially the parasite possesses the ability to hijack the brain and control aspects of it. Perhaps we are not as in control as we think? What is even more startiling is that none of this probably would be possible without a very common household pet. The domestic cat...