Population biology of Toxoplasma: clonality, virulence, and speciation (or not)

The population biology of Toxoplasma gondii is reviewed in the context of how its complex life cycle might be responsible for the current picture and how a knowledge of the population structure may have an impact on the thinking of both clinician and researcher. Published results already clearly indicate that the population can be divided into two distinct groups that are genetically and biologically distinct. The more virulent group, as defined by their LD50 in mice, is apparently a single, clonal line. The biological and clinical implications of the existence of such a group are discussed.