1
|
Meza-Sosa KF, Valle-Garcia D, González-Conchillos H, Blanco-Ayala T, Salazar A, Flores I, Gómez-Manzo S, González Esquivel DF, Pérez de la Cruz G, Pineda B, Pérez de la Cruz V. Molecular Mimicry between Toxoplasma gondii B-Cell Epitopes and Neurodevelopmental Proteins: An Immunoinformatic Approach. Biomolecules 2024; 14:933. [PMID: 39199321 PMCID: PMC11352964 DOI: 10.3390/biom14080933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2024] [Revised: 07/27/2024] [Accepted: 07/28/2024] [Indexed: 09/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Epidemiological studies and meta-analyses have shown a strong association between high seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) and schizophrenia. Schizophrenic patients showed higher levels of anti-Toxoplasma immunoglobulins M and G (IgM and IgG) when compared to healthy controls. Previously, in a rat model, we demonstrated that the progeny of mothers immunized with T. gondii lysates before gestation had behavioral and social impairments during adulthood. Therefore, we suggested that T. gondii infection can trigger autoreactivity by molecularly mimicking host brain proteins. Here, we aimed to identify the occurrence of antigenic mimicry between T. gondii epitopes and host brain proteins. Using a bioinformatic approach, we predicted T. gondii RH-88 B cell epitopes and compared them to human cell-surface proteins involved in brain development and differentiation (BrainS). Five different algorithms for B-cell-epitope prediction were used and compared, resulting in 8584 T. gondii epitopes. We then compared T. gondii predicted epitopes to BrainS proteins by local sequence alignments using BLASTP. T. gondii immunogenic epitopes significantly overlapped with 42 BrainS proteins. Among these overlapping proteins essential for brain development and differentiation, we identified HSP90 and NOTCH receptors as the proteins most likely to be targeted by the maternally generated pathogenic antibodies due to their topological overlap at the extracellular region of their sequence. This analysis highlights the relevance of pregestational clinical surveillance and screening for potential pathogenic anti-T. gondii antibodies. It also identifies potential targets for the design of vaccines that could prevent behavioral and cognitive impairments associated with pre-gestational T. gondii exposure.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Karla F. Meza-Sosa
- Neurochemistry and Behavior Laboratory, National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery “Manuel Velasco Suárez”, Mexico City 14269, Mexico; (K.F.M.-S.); (T.B.-A.); (D.F.G.E.)
| | - David Valle-Garcia
- Neuroimmunology Department, National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery “Manuel Velasco Suárez”, Mexico City 14269, Mexico; (D.V.-G.); (H.G.-C.); (A.S.); (I.F.)
| | - Hugo González-Conchillos
- Neuroimmunology Department, National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery “Manuel Velasco Suárez”, Mexico City 14269, Mexico; (D.V.-G.); (H.G.-C.); (A.S.); (I.F.)
| | - Tonali Blanco-Ayala
- Neurochemistry and Behavior Laboratory, National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery “Manuel Velasco Suárez”, Mexico City 14269, Mexico; (K.F.M.-S.); (T.B.-A.); (D.F.G.E.)
| | - Alelí Salazar
- Neuroimmunology Department, National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery “Manuel Velasco Suárez”, Mexico City 14269, Mexico; (D.V.-G.); (H.G.-C.); (A.S.); (I.F.)
| | - Itamar Flores
- Neuroimmunology Department, National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery “Manuel Velasco Suárez”, Mexico City 14269, Mexico; (D.V.-G.); (H.G.-C.); (A.S.); (I.F.)
- Departamento de Inmunología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Manuel Carpio, Plutarco Elías Calles, Miguel Hidalgo, Mexico City 11350, Mexico
| | - Saúl Gómez-Manzo
- Laboratorio de Bioquímica Genética, Instituto Nacional de Pediatría, Secretaría de Salud, Mexico City 04530, Mexico;
| | - Dinora Fabiola González Esquivel
- Neurochemistry and Behavior Laboratory, National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery “Manuel Velasco Suárez”, Mexico City 14269, Mexico; (K.F.M.-S.); (T.B.-A.); (D.F.G.E.)
| | - Gonzalo Pérez de la Cruz
- Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Sciences, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Mexico (UNAM), Mexico City 04510, Mexico;
| | - Benjamín Pineda
- Neuroimmunology Department, National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery “Manuel Velasco Suárez”, Mexico City 14269, Mexico; (D.V.-G.); (H.G.-C.); (A.S.); (I.F.)
| | - Verónica Pérez de la Cruz
- Neurochemistry and Behavior Laboratory, National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery “Manuel Velasco Suárez”, Mexico City 14269, Mexico; (K.F.M.-S.); (T.B.-A.); (D.F.G.E.)
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
β-Glucan ameliorates anxiety-like behavior in mice chronically infected with the Toxoplasma gondii Wh6 strain. Parasitol Res 2022; 121:3513-3521. [PMID: 36163518 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-022-07675-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
Chronic Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) infection has been revealed to be a risk factor for neuropsychiatric diseases, including anxiety. However, there is no intervention strategy. The present study aimed to investigate the protective effect of β-glucan on T. gondii Wh6 strain-induced anxiety-like behavior in mice. The anxiety mouse model was established by infection with 10 cysts of the T. gondii Wh6 strain. β-Glucan was intraperitoneally administered 2 weeks before infection. Open field and elevated plus maze tests were performed to assess anxiety-like behavior. In the open field test, Wh6-infected mice spent less time in the central zone and had fewer entries into the central zone. In the elevated plus maze test, the infection reduced the frequency and time of head entries in the open arms. These results showed that Wh6 causes anxiety-like behavior in mice. Interestingly, the administration of β-glucan significantly ameliorated anxiety-like behavioral performance. The present study shows that β-glucan can alleviate the anxiety-like behavior induced by chronic T. gondii infection in mice, which indicates that β-glucan may be a potential drug candidate for treating T. gondii-related mental disorders, including anxiety.
Collapse
|
3
|
Contopoulos‐Ioannidis DG, Gianniki M, Ai‐Nhi Truong A, Montoya JG. Toxoplasmosis and Schizophrenia: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis of Prevalence and Associations and Future Directions. PSYCHIATRIC RESEARCH AND CLINICAL PRACTICE 2022; 4:48-60. [PMID: 36254187 PMCID: PMC9558922 DOI: 10.1176/appi.prcp.20210041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Revised: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Despina G. Contopoulos‐Ioannidis
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Infectious Diseases, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA (D. G. Contopoulos‐Ioannidis); Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital, Athens, Greece (M. Gianniki); Stanford Prevention Research Center, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA (A. Ai‐Nhi Truong); Dr. Jack S. Remington Laboratory for Specialty Diagnostics, National Reference Center for the Study and Diagnosis of Toxoplasmosis Palo Alto Medical
| | - Maria Gianniki
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Infectious Diseases, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA (D. G. Contopoulos‐Ioannidis); Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital, Athens, Greece (M. Gianniki); Stanford Prevention Research Center, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA (A. Ai‐Nhi Truong); Dr. Jack S. Remington Laboratory for Specialty Diagnostics, National Reference Center for the Study and Diagnosis of Toxoplasmosis Palo Alto Medical
| | - Angeline Ai‐Nhi Truong
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Infectious Diseases, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA (D. G. Contopoulos‐Ioannidis); Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital, Athens, Greece (M. Gianniki); Stanford Prevention Research Center, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA (A. Ai‐Nhi Truong); Dr. Jack S. Remington Laboratory for Specialty Diagnostics, National Reference Center for the Study and Diagnosis of Toxoplasmosis Palo Alto Medical
| | - Jose G. Montoya
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Infectious Diseases, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA (D. G. Contopoulos‐Ioannidis); Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital, Athens, Greece (M. Gianniki); Stanford Prevention Research Center, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA (A. Ai‐Nhi Truong); Dr. Jack S. Remington Laboratory for Specialty Diagnostics, National Reference Center for the Study and Diagnosis of Toxoplasmosis Palo Alto Medical
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Varela RB, Cararo JH, Tye SJ, Carvalho AF, Valvassori SS, Fries GR, Quevedo J. Contributions of epigenetic inheritance to the predisposition of major psychiatric disorders: theoretical framework, evidence, and implications. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2022; 135:104579. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Revised: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
|
5
|
Ginsenoside Rh2 reduces depression in offspring of mice with maternal toxoplasma infection during pregnancy by inhibiting microglial activation via the HMGB1/TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway. J Ginseng Res 2022; 46:62-70. [PMID: 35035240 PMCID: PMC8753429 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgr.2021.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2020] [Revised: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Maternal Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) infection during pregnancy has been associated with various mental illnesses in the offspring. Ginsenoside Rh2 (GRh2) is a major bioactive compound obtained from ginseng that has an anti-T. gondii effect and attenuates microglial activation through toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway. GRh2 also alleviated tumor-associated or lipopolysaccharide-induced depression. However, the effects and potential mechanisms of GRh2 on depression-like behavior in mouse offspring caused by maternal T. gondii infection during pregnancy have not been investigated. Methods We examined GRh2 effects on the depression-like behavior in mouse offspring, caused by maternal T. gondii infection during pregnancy, by measuring depression-like behaviors and assaying parameters at the neuronal and molecular level. Results We showed that GRh2 significantly improved behavioral measures: sucrose consumption, forced swim time and tail suspended immobility time of their offspring. These corresponded with increased tissue concentrations of 5-hydroxytryptamine and dopamine, and attenuated indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase or enhanced tyrosine hydroxylase expression in the prefrontal cortex. GRh2 ameliorated neuronal damage in the prefrontal cortex. Molecular docking results revealed that GRh2 binds strongly to both TLR4 and high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1). Conclusion This study demonstrated that GRh2 ameliorated the depression-like behavior in mouse offspring of maternal T. gondii infection during pregnancy by attenuating the excessive activation of microglia and neuroinflammation through the HMGB1/TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway. It suggests that GRh2 could be considered a potential therapy in preventing and treating psychiatric disorders in the offspring mice of mothers with prenatal exposure to T. gondii infection.
Collapse
|
6
|
Virus MA, Ehrhorn EG, Lui LM, Davis PH. Neurological and Neurobehavioral Disorders Associated with Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Humans. J Parasitol Res 2021; 2021:6634807. [PMID: 34712493 PMCID: PMC8548174 DOI: 10.1155/2021/6634807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2020] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The intracellular parasite Toxoplasma gondii is estimated to infect up to 30% of the world population, leading to lifelong chronic infection of the brain and muscle tissue. Although most latent T. gondii infections in humans have traditionally been considered asymptomatic, studies in rodents suggest phenotypic neurological changes are possible. Consequently, several studies have examined the link between T. gondii infection and diseases such as schizophrenia, epilepsy, depression, bipolar disorder, dysphoria, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). To date, there is varying evidence of the relationship of T. gondii to these human neurological or neurobehavioral disorders. A thorough review of T. gondii literature was conducted to highlight and summarize current findings. We found that schizophrenia was most frequently linked to T. gondii infection, while sleep disruption showed no linkage to T. gondii infection, and other conditions having mixed support for a link to T. gondii. However, infection as a cause of human neurobehavioral disease has yet to be firmly established.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maxwell A. Virus
- Department of Biology, University of Nebraska at Omaha, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Evie G. Ehrhorn
- Department of Biology, University of Nebraska at Omaha, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - LeeAnna M. Lui
- Department of Biology, University of Nebraska at Omaha, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Paul H. Davis
- Department of Biology, University of Nebraska at Omaha, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Rodriguez V, Alameda L, Trotta G, Spinazzola E, Marino P, Matheson SL, Laurens KR, Murray RM, Vassos E. Environmental Risk Factors in Bipolar Disorder and Psychotic Depression: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Prospective Studies. Schizophr Bull 2021; 47:959-974. [PMID: 33479726 PMCID: PMC8266635 DOI: 10.1093/schbul/sbaa197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to study the association between specific environmental risk factors (ERF) and later development of Bipolar disorder and Psychotic depression. METHODS A systematic search of prospective studies was conducted in MEDLINE, EMBASE and PsycINFO databases, and supplemented by hand searching, according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines (registration number: CRD42018092253). Selected ERF included: pre-/peri-natal factors-paternal age at birth, maternal infection, obstetric complications, perinatal stress; early childhood factors-urbanicity at birth, childhood infection, childhood adversity; later life factors-substance misuse, ethnic minority and migration, urbanicity later in life, stressful life events, and traumatic head injury. Pooled effect sizes of the association between these ERF and affective psychoses were calculated from systematically selected studies. When studies examining each ERF were insufficient for meta-analysis, results were presented narratively. RESULTS Forty-six studies were included for quantitative analyses among selected ERF for affective psychosis, with significant association found for paternal age >40 years (OR 1.17, 95%CI 1.12-1.23), early (OR 1.52, 95%CI 1.07-2.17) and late (OR 1.32, 95%CI 1.05-1.67) gestational age, childhood adversity (OR 1.33, 95%CI 1.18-1.50), substance misuse (OR 2.87, 95%CI 1.63-5.50), and being from an ethnic minority (OR 1.99, 95%CI 1.39-2.84). CONCLUSIONS These results suggest some shared environmental load between non-affective and affective psychosis, implying generalized risks for psychosis rather than for specific diagnostic categories. Nonetheless, published studies for some ERF in the affective psychoses are scarce, and further longitudinal studies are needed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Rodriguez
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience. King’s College of London, London, UK
| | - Luis Alameda
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience. King’s College of London, London, UK
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Sevilla, IBiS, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, Department of Psychiatry, Universidad de Sevilla, Seville, Spain
- Service of General Psychiatry, Treatment and Early Intervention in Psychosis Program, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Giulia Trotta
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience. King’s College of London, London, UK
| | - Edoardo Spinazzola
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience. King’s College of London, London, UK
| | - Paolo Marino
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience. King’s College of London, London, UK
| | - Sandra L Matheson
- School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney, Australia
| | - Kristin R Laurens
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience. King’s College of London, London, UK
- School of Psychology and Counselling, and Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Robin M Murray
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience. King’s College of London, London, UK
| | - Evangelos Vassos
- Social, Genetics and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, UK
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Toxoplasmosis in a Cohort of Italian Patients With Bipolar and Psychotic Disorders: How Infection May Affect Clinical Features? J Nerv Ment Dis 2020; 208:118-126. [PMID: 31985560 DOI: 10.1097/nmd.0000000000001102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
This study investigated the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in a cohort of 101 Italian inpatients affected by mood or schizophrenia-spectrum disorders and compared clinical features between seronegative and seropositive subjects. Patients diagnosed according to DSM-5 criteria underwent clinical assessments and blood collection to test parasite-specific IgG/IgM serum levels. Twenty-eight patients (27.7%) had IgG anti-T. gondii, and none had IgM antibodies. We found higher prevalence rate in patients aged 40 years or older, as compared with younger. No significant association was detected between T. gondii and a specific diagnostic category; however, bipolar disorder (BD)-II showed the highest positivity rate (40.9%). The seropositive status was significantly associated with a lower presence of psychotic symptoms, higher number of total episodes of predominant excitatory polarity, longer illness duration, and lower severity of current episode, particularly anxiety, depressive, and withdrawal/retardation symptoms. These preliminary results seem to point out an association between chronic toxoplasmosis and a specific subtype of BD.
Collapse
|
9
|
Lack of circulating toxoplasma gondii DNA in seropositive patients with bipolar or schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Psychiatry Res 2019; 273:706-711. [PMID: 31207856 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2019.01.104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2018] [Revised: 01/21/2019] [Accepted: 01/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis has been previously associated with an increased risk of having Schizophrenia or Bipolar disorder in several epidemiological studies. The aim of this observational, cross-sectional study was to examine the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma infection in a cohort of Italian psychiatric inpatients and to verify the presence of circulating Toxoplasma gondii DNA in the seropositive subjects. Sixty-three patients affected by bipolar or schizoaffective disorders according to DSM-5 criteria were enrolled. The presence of Toxoplasma infection was firstly examined using an indirect serological method (ELFA), and three different direct PCR-based methods were performed to detect circulating DNA in the seropositive patients. The seroprevalence of infection was 28.6%, with a significant association between higher age and the infection status. PCR, nested-PCR and Real-Time PCR revealed no positive samples for Toxoplasma gondii. This result is in contrast with recent data from case-control studies that detected parasite genome in patients with different neuropsychiatric diagnosis without clinical evidence of acute toxoplasmosis. Our findings are to be interpreted with caution, because of the small sample size, the heterogeneity of enrolled patients and the observational nature of the study. Further studies are needed to better define the clinical features correlated to the seropositive status in neuropsychiatric patients.
Collapse
|
10
|
Alvarado-Esquivel C, Estrada-Martínez S, Pérez-Alamos AR. A Case-Control Seroprevalence Study on the Association Between Toxoplasma gondii Infection and Bipolar Disorder. Front Psychiatry 2019; 10:766. [PMID: 31708819 PMCID: PMC6823190 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2019] [Accepted: 09/24/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Aims: Infection with the parasite Toxoplasma gondii has been associated with bipolar disorder in several countries other than Mexico. Therefore, we sought to determine the association between seropositivity to T. gondii and bipolar disorder in a Mexican population. Methods: We performed an age- and gender-matched case-control study of 66 patients with bipolar disorder (WHO International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision code: F31) and 396 subjects without this disorder from the general population. Anti-Toxoplasma immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgM antibodies were determined using commercially available enzyme-linked immunoassays. Results: Six (9.1%) of the 66 patients with bipolar disorder and 22 (5.6%) of the 396 controls had anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies (odds ratio [OR] = 1.7; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.66-4.36; P = 0.26). Stratification by gender and age did not show a difference in seroprevalence between cases and controls. The frequency of high (> 150 international units/ml) anti-T. gondii IgG levels was similar in cases (n = 2) and in controls (n = 12) (OR = 1.0; 95% CI = 0.21-4.57; P = 1.00). Stratification by International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision F31 codes showed that patients with F31.3 code had a higher seroprevalence of T. gondii infection than their age- and gender-matched controls (OR = 16.4; 95% CI = 1.25-215.09; P = 0.04). None of the six anti-T. gondii IgG-seropositive patients with bipolar disorder and 4 (18.2%) of the 22 anti-T. gondii IgG-seropositive controls had anti-T. gondii IgM antibodies (P = 0.54). Conclusions: Our results suggest that T. gondii seropositivity is not associated with bipolar disorder in general. However, a specific type of bipolar disorder (F31.3) might be associated with T. gondii seropositivity. Further research to elucidate the role of T. gondii infection in bipolar disorder is needed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Sergio Estrada-Martínez
- Institute for Scientific Research "Dr. Roberto Rivera Damm," Juárez University of Durango State, Durango, Mexico
| | - Alma Rosa Pérez-Alamos
- Institute for Scientific Research "Dr. Roberto Rivera Damm," Juárez University of Durango State, Durango, Mexico
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Tyebji S, Seizova S, Hannan AJ, Tonkin CJ. Toxoplasmosis: A pathway to neuropsychiatric disorders. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2018; 96:72-92. [PMID: 30476506 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2018.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2018] [Revised: 10/23/2018] [Accepted: 11/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular parasite that resides, in a latent form, in the human central nervous system. Infection with Toxoplasma drastically alters the behaviour of rodents and is associated with the incidence of specific neuropsychiatric conditions in humans. But the question remains: how does this pervasive human pathogen alter behaviour of the mammalian host? This fundamental question is receiving increasing attention as it has far reaching public health implications for a parasite that is very common in human populations. Our current understanding centres on neuronal changes that are elicited directly by this intracellular parasite versus indirect changes that occur due to activation of the immune system within the CNS, or a combination of both. In this review, we explore the interactions between Toxoplasma and its host, the proposed mechanisms and consequences on neuronal function and mental health, and discuss Toxoplasma infection as a public health issue.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shiraz Tyebji
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, 3052, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, 3052, Australia; Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, 3052, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Simona Seizova
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, 3052, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, 3052, Australia.
| | - Anthony J Hannan
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, 3052, Victoria, Australia; Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University of Melbourne, Parkville, 3052, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Christopher J Tonkin
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, 3052, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, 3052, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Del Grande C, Galli L, Schiavi E, Dell'Osso L, Bruschi F. Is Toxoplasma gondii a Trigger of Bipolar Disorder? Pathogens 2017; 6:pathogens6010003. [PMID: 28075410 PMCID: PMC5371891 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens6010003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2016] [Revised: 12/16/2016] [Accepted: 01/04/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii, a ubiquitous intracellular parasite, has a strong tropism for the brain tissue, where it forms intracellular cysts within the neurons and glial cells, establishing a chronic infection. Although latent toxoplasmosis is generally assumed to be asymptomatic in immunocompetent individuals, it is now clear that it can induce behavioral manipulations in mice and infected humans. Moreover, a strong relation has emerged in recent years between toxoplasmosis and psychiatric disorders. The link between T. gondii and schizophrenia has been the most widely documented; however, a significant association with bipolar disorder (BD) and suicidal/aggressive behaviors has also been detected. T. gondii may play a role in the etiopathogenesis of psychiatric disorders affecting neurotransmitters, especially dopamine, that are implicated in the emergence of psychosis and behavioral Toxoplasma-induced abnormalities, and inducing brain inflammation by the direct stimulation of inflammatory cytokines in the central nervous system. Besides this, there is increasing evidence for a prominent role of immune dysregulation in psychosis and BD. The aim of this review is to describe recent evidence suggesting a link between Toxoplasma gondii and BD, focusing on the interaction between immune responses and this infectious agent in the etiopathogenesis of psychiatric symptoms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Del Grande
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of Psychiatry, University of Pisa, Via Roma 67, 56127 Pisa, Italy.
| | - Luca Galli
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Via Roma 55, 56126 Pisa, Italy.
| | - Elisa Schiavi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of Psychiatry, University of Pisa, Via Roma 67, 56127 Pisa, Italy.
| | - Liliana Dell'Osso
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of Psychiatry, University of Pisa, Via Roma 67, 56127 Pisa, Italy.
| | - Fabrizio Bruschi
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Via Roma 55, 56126 Pisa, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|