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Grada S, Mihu AG, Oatis DA, Marc CC, Chicea LM, Petrescu C, Lupu AM, Olariu TR. Seroprevalence and Associated Risk Factors of Toxoplasma gondii in Patients Diagnosed with Schizophrenia: A Case-Control Cross Sectional Study. Biomedicines 2024; 12:998. [PMID: 38790960 PMCID: PMC11117935 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12050998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2024] [Revised: 04/27/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
The protozoan parasite, Toxoplasma gondii, has been linked to several psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of T. gondii IgG antibodies and risk factors associated with seroprevalence in patients diagnosed with schizophrenia. This seroepidemiological study assessed 196 participants, divided into two groups. The study group consisted of 98 schizophrenic patients and was matched with 98 healthy blood donors. A questionnaire was used to gather information regarding potential risk factors associated with T. gondii seroprevalence. Results revealed a higher seroprevalence of T. gondii IgG antibodies in schizophrenic patients (69.39%, 68/98) when compared to healthy controls (51.02%, 50/98) (OR: 2.18; 95% CI: 1.21-3.9; p = 0.01). Patients with schizophrenia who consumed raw or undercooked meat (80.65%, 25/31) (OR: 3.75; 95% CI: 1.25-11.21, p = 0.02) and those with a lower educational level (77.59%, 45/58) (OR: 3.5; 95% CI: 1.59-7.54, p = 0.002) presented increased T. gondii seropositivity rates versus their control counterparts. Our findings indicate a high T. gondii IgG seroprevalence in patients diagnosed with schizophrenia compared to healthy blood donors. Factors associated with T. gondii seroprevalence were consumption of raw or uncooked meat and a lower educational attainment. This study provided the first data regarding the potential risk factors for toxoplasmosis in Romanian patients diagnosed with schizophrenia and may serve as a foundation for future research and the development of preventive strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Grada
- Discipline of Parasitology, Department of Infectious Disease, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania; (S.G.); (T.R.O.)
- Center for Diagnosis and Study of Parasitic Diseases, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania;
| | - Alin Gabriel Mihu
- “Aurel Ardelean” Institute of Life Sciences, Vasile Goldis Western University of Arad, 86 Rebreanu, 310414 Arad, Romania;
- Department of Biology and Life Sciences, Vasile Goldis Western University, 310300 Arad, Romania
- Patogen Preventia, 300124 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Daniela Adriana Oatis
- “Aurel Ardelean” Institute of Life Sciences, Vasile Goldis Western University of Arad, 86 Rebreanu, 310414 Arad, Romania;
- Department of Infectious Disease, Faculty of Medicine, Vasile Goldis Western University, 310300 Arad, Romania
| | - Constantin Catalin Marc
- Center for Diagnosis and Study of Parasitic Diseases, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania;
- Department of Biology and Life Sciences, Vasile Goldis Western University, 310300 Arad, Romania
| | - Liana Maria Chicea
- Department II Medical Clinic, “Victor Papilian” Faculty of Medicine, Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu, 550024 Sibiu, Romania;
- Internal Medicine Department, Academic Emergency Hospital, 550245 Sibiu, Romania
| | - Cristina Petrescu
- Discipline of Hygiene, Department of Microbiology, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania;
| | - Alina Maria Lupu
- Discipline of Parasitology, Department of Infectious Disease, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania; (S.G.); (T.R.O.)
- Center for Diagnosis and Study of Parasitic Diseases, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania;
- Patogen Preventia, 300124 Timisoara, Romania
- Clinical Laboratory, Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, 300310 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Tudor Rares Olariu
- Discipline of Parasitology, Department of Infectious Disease, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania; (S.G.); (T.R.O.)
- Center for Diagnosis and Study of Parasitic Diseases, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania;
- Patogen Preventia, 300124 Timisoara, Romania
- Clinical Laboratory, Municipal Clinical Emergency Teaching Hospital, 300254 Timisoara, Romania
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Bartolomé del Pino LE, Zanón-Moreno V. Systematic Review on the Relationship between Toxoplasmosis and Mental Disorders. ACTAS ESPANOLAS DE PSIQUIATRIA 2024; 52:149-160. [PMID: 38622004 PMCID: PMC11015818 DOI: 10.62641/aep.v52i2.1658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/17/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Toxoplasmosis is a worldwide parasitic zoonosis caused by the protozoan Toxoplasma gondii. In cases of vertical infection, and in immunosuppressed people by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) serious clinical conditions may appear, while immunocompetent people do not present symptoms. However, T. gondii infection has been linked to several mental disorders for decades. OBJECTIVE To substantiate the possible relationship between T. gondii and mental disorders and suggest control and prevention strategies. MATERIAL AND METHODS A systematic review has been carried out to analyze the relationship between T. gondii exposure (presence of IgG) and the onset of mental disorders in minors and adults. The etiopathogenic mechanisms described by the authors have also been included and the systems of surveillance, prevention and control of infection have been evaluated. RESULTS Several processes linked to the presence of cysts and the reactivation of the parasite in certain situations produce an immune and inflammatory response. Also, direct and indirect actions on different neurotransmitters. These mechanisms, together with other environmental and genetic factors, would predispose to different psychiatric pathologies. CONCLUSIONS Due to the limits of the study, no conclusions can be drawn in childhood and adolescence. However, the results of this systematic review show a possible association of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and compulsive disorder with T. gondii infection in adults. There is a need to improve control, integrated surveillance and extend prevention measures to the entire population.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Vicente Zanón-Moreno
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
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Dragomir A, Lupu MA, Maciuceanu CG, Chicea LM, Olariu TR. Risk Factors Associated with Toxoplasma gondii in Patients with Cardiovascular Diseases from Western Romania. Microorganisms 2024; 12:673. [PMID: 38674617 PMCID: PMC11052096 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12040673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2024] [Revised: 03/22/2024] [Accepted: 03/23/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Limited data are available in the existing literature regarding the seroepidemiology of T. gondii infection among cardiovascular patients. We aimed to comprehensively assess the prevalence of T. gondii infection and associated risk factors among Romanian cardiovascular patients. METHODS Serologic testing was conducted in 1205 patients with cardiovascular diseases to demonstrate the presence of T. gondii antibodies. An avidity test was performed in patients with detectable IgG and IgM antibodies. A structured questionnaire was designed to identify the potential risk factors associated with T. gondii. Results: The overall seroprevalence of T. gondii antibodies was 52.1%, with the highest value observed in patients diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy (66.66%) and the lowest in patients with myopericarditis (30.0%). The 11 patients found with detectable IgM and IgG antibodies had a high avidity test result. A patient's area of residence, gender, educational level, owning dogs, owning any pet, and toxoplasmosis awareness were significantly associated with T. gondii seropositivity in multiple logistic regression analyses. CONCLUSIONS This study provides novel and valuable insights into the seroprevalence and risk factors associated with T. gondii among Romanian cardiovascular patients. Our findings reiterate the importance of toxoplasmosis awareness and health education for better control and prevention of infection with T. gondii.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Dragomir
- Discipline of Parasitology, Department of Infectious Disease, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania; (A.D.); (C.G.M.); (T.R.O.)
- Center for Diagnosis and Study of Parasitic Diseases, Department of Infectious Disease, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
- Clinical Laboratory, Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, 300310 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Maria Alina Lupu
- Discipline of Parasitology, Department of Infectious Disease, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania; (A.D.); (C.G.M.); (T.R.O.)
- Center for Diagnosis and Study of Parasitic Diseases, Department of Infectious Disease, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
- Clinical Laboratory, Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, 300310 Timisoara, Romania
- Patogen Preventia, 300124 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Cosmin Gheorghe Maciuceanu
- Discipline of Parasitology, Department of Infectious Disease, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania; (A.D.); (C.G.M.); (T.R.O.)
- Center for Diagnosis and Study of Parasitic Diseases, Department of Infectious Disease, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Liana Maria Chicea
- Department II Medical Clinic, “Victor Papilian” Faculty of Medicine, Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu, 550024 Sibiu, Romania;
- Internal Medicine Department, Academic Emergency Hospital, 550245 Sibiu, Romania
| | - Tudor Rares Olariu
- Discipline of Parasitology, Department of Infectious Disease, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania; (A.D.); (C.G.M.); (T.R.O.)
- Center for Diagnosis and Study of Parasitic Diseases, Department of Infectious Disease, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
- Patogen Preventia, 300124 Timisoara, Romania
- Clinical Laboratory, Municipal Clinical Emergency Teaching Hospital, 300254 Timisoara, Romania
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Song G, Zhao Q, Chen H, Li M, Zhang Z, Qu Z, Yang C, Lin X, Ma W, Standlee CR. Toxoplasma gondii seropositivity and cognitive functioning in older adults: an analysis of cross-sectional data of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2011-2014. BMJ Open 2024; 14:e071513. [PMID: 38448067 PMCID: PMC10916126 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-071513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study sought to examine the relationship between Toxoplasma gondii seropositivity and cognitive function in older adults. DESIGN An observational cross-sectional study. SETTING The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) study took place at participants' homes and mobile examination centres. PARTICIPANTS A total of 2956 older adults aged 60 and above from the NHANES from 2011 to 2014 were included in the study. Exposure of interest: participants had serum Toxoplasma gondii antibody analysed in the laboratory. A value>33 IU/mL was categorised as seropositive for Toxoplasma gondii infection; <27 IU/mL was categorised as seronegative for Toxoplasma gondii infection. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES Cognitive tests included the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease Word Learning subtest (CERAD-WL) for immediate and delayed memory, the Animal Fluency Test (AFT), and the Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST). RESULTS About half of the 2956 participants (mean age 70.0) were female (51.0%), non-Hispanic White (48.3%), and completed some college or above (48.3%). A total of 703 participants were positive for Toxoplasma gondii infection (23.8%). Adjusted linear regression showed that compared with participants with negative Toxoplasma gondii infection, those with positive Toxoplasma gondii infection had lower CERAD-WL immediate memory (beta (β) -0.16, 95% CI -0.25 to -0.07), CERAD-WL delayed memory (β -0.15, 95% CI -0.24 to -0.06), AFT (β -0.15, 95% CI -0.24 to -0.06), DSST (β -0.34, 95% CI -0.43 to -0.26), and global cognition (β -0.24, 95% CI -0.32 to -0.16) z-scores after controlling for the covariates. CONCLUSIONS Toxoplasma gondii seropositivity is associated with worse immediate and delayed verbal learning, language proficiency, executive functioning, processing speed, sustained attention, working memory, as well as global cognition in older adults. Public health measures aiming at preventing Toxoplasma gondii infection may help preserve cognitive functioning in older adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ge Song
- College of Sciences and Technology, University of Houston Downtown, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Qingxia Zhao
- School of Nursing, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Hongyu Chen
- School of Nursing, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Meng Li
- Kentucky Department for Public Health, Infectious Disease Branch, Frankfort, Kentucky, USA
| | - Zeyu Zhang
- Institute for Hospital Management, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Zhe Qu
- Department of Pediatric Respiratory, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Chao Yang
- University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Xuechun Lin
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, Hubei Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Weixia Ma
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
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Zerekidze A, Li M, Refisch A, Shameya J, Sobanski T, Walter M, Wagner G. Impact of Toxoplasma gondii and Human Microbiome on Suicidal Behavior: A Systematic Review. J Clin Med 2024; 13:593. [PMID: 38276099 PMCID: PMC10816148 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13020593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Suicide remains a persistent global health challenge, resisting widespread prevention efforts. According to previous findings, toxoplasmosis is particularly associated with altered decision making, which could lead to risk-taking behavior, thereby increasing the likelihood for suicidal behavior (SB). In addition, discussion about the role of microbiome in psychiatric disorders has emerged lately, which also makes it relevant to investigate its role in the context of SB. Therefore, two systematic reviews are integrated in this paper, and the existing knowledge is comprehensively summarized regarding the association between microbial pathogens and SB. METHODS We conducted a systematic search with keywords including SB and Toxoplasma gondii (Suicid* AND Toxoplasm*) and microbiome (Suicid* AND Microbiome AND Microbiota) throughout PubMed and Scopus to retrieve related studies up to 9 November 2023, identifying 24 eligible records. The subjects of the included studies had to have fulfilled the criteria of an SB disorder as defined by DSM-5, and death cases needed to have been defined as suicide. RESULTS Most studies reported significant association between toxoplasmosis and SB, suggesting a higher likelihood of SB in the infected population. Regarding the microbiome, only very few studies investigated an association between SB and alterations in the microbiome. Based on six included studies, there were some indications of a link between changes in the microbiome and SB. CONCLUSION The cognitive aspects of decision making in T. gondii-infected individuals with SB should be further investigated to unravel the underlying mechanisms. Further sufficiently powered studies are needed to establish a link between SB and alterations in the microbiome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ani Zerekidze
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Jena Center for Mental Health, Jena University Hospital, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Meng Li
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Jena Center for Mental Health, Jena University Hospital, 07743 Jena, Germany
- Circuits Underlying Mental Health (C-I-R-C), Jena-Magdeburg-Halle, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Alexander Refisch
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Jena Center for Mental Health, Jena University Hospital, 07743 Jena, Germany
- Circuits Underlying Mental Health (C-I-R-C), Jena-Magdeburg-Halle, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Justina Shameya
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Jena Center for Mental Health, Jena University Hospital, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Thomas Sobanski
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatic Medicine, Center for Mental Health, Thueringen-Kliniken “Georgius Agricola”, 07318 Saalfeld, Germany;
| | - Martin Walter
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Jena Center for Mental Health, Jena University Hospital, 07743 Jena, Germany
- Circuits Underlying Mental Health (C-I-R-C), Jena-Magdeburg-Halle, 07743 Jena, Germany
- German Center for Mental Health (DZPG), Partner Site Jena, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Gerd Wagner
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Jena Center for Mental Health, Jena University Hospital, 07743 Jena, Germany
- Circuits Underlying Mental Health (C-I-R-C), Jena-Magdeburg-Halle, 07743 Jena, Germany
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Lim JZ, Samalia PD, Sims JL, Niederer RL. Uveitis and Scleritis as a Risk Factor for Mortality. Ocul Immunol Inflamm 2024:1-8. [PMID: 38833275 DOI: 10.1080/09273948.2023.2296033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/06/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Uveitis and scleritis may be caused by local or systemic infection, or associated with noninfectious systemic inflammatory autoimmune disease. This study explored the all-cause mortality following an individual's first presentation with uveitis/scleritis. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted on all uveitis/scleritis patients diagnosed by uveitis specialists and treated in a single tertiary referral center in New Zealand between 2006 and 2020(15y). Masquerade syndromes including intraocular lymphoma were excluded. Outcome measures: demographics, etiology of uveitis/scleritis, anatomical location and all-cause mortality. RESULTS 2723 subjects were identified. Median age of onset of uveitis/scleritis was 44.9 years (Range:1.5-99.5 years). 49.6% were female. Median follow-up from diagnosis of uveitis/scleritis was 8.0 years (IQR 4.1-11.6 years) with a total follow-up of 24 443.3 subject-years. The most frequent diagnosis was idiopathic disease (30.9%), HLA-B27-positive uveitis (20.0%), and sarcoidosis (4.7%). Infectious etiologies (24.1%) were most commonly from herpes zoster virus (9.3%) and toxoplasmosis (4.3%). The age-adjusted mortality rate was higher in subjects with idiopathic disease, sarcoidosis, Fuchs' uveitis syndrome, granulomatosis with polyangiitis/ANCA-associated vasculitis, toxoplasmosis, and herpes zoster virus, when compared to HLA-B27-positive uveitis. Hazard of mortality peaked in the first seven years following diagnosis, then subsequently declined. Patients with uveitis/scleritis had a significantly higher rate of mortality compared to the general New Zealand population (IRR 1.656 p = 0.017). CONCLUSION Infectious etiologies of uveitis/scleritis in this cohort were high when compared to other developed nations, attributable to data from a tertiary referral center treating inpatients. Potential shared inflammatory mechanisms in the eye and other organs can lead to concurrent non-ocular disease requiring systemic treatment, impacting an individual's longevity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joevy Z Lim
- Department of Ophthalmology, Te Whatu Ora Auckland/Health, Auckland, New Zealand
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Priya D Samalia
- Department of Ophthalmology, Te Whatu Ora Southern/Health New Zealand Southern, Dunedin, New Zealand
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Joanne L Sims
- Department of Ophthalmology, Te Whatu Ora Auckland/Health, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Rachael L Niederer
- Department of Ophthalmology, Te Whatu Ora Auckland/Health, Auckland, New Zealand
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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Beydoun MA, Beydoun HA, Gale SD, Hedges D, Weiss J, Li Z, Erickson LD, Noren Hooten N, Launer LJ, Evans MK, Zonderman AB. Cardiovascular health, infection burden and their interactive association with brain volumetric and white matter integrity outcomes in the UK Biobank. Brain Behav Immun 2023; 113:91-103. [PMID: 37393057 PMCID: PMC11040741 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2023.06.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cardiovascular health is associated with brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) markers of pathology and infections may modulate this association. METHODS Using data from 38,803 adults (aged 40-70 years) and followed-up for 5-15 years, we tested associations of prevalent total (47.5%) and hospital-treated infection burden (9.7%) with brain structural and diffusion-weighted MRI (i.e., sMRI and dMRI, respectively) common in dementia phenome. Poor white matter tissue integrity was operationalized with lower global and tract-specific fractional anisotropy (FA) and higher mean diffusivity (MD). Volumetric sMRI outcomes included total, gray matter (GM), white matter (WM), frontal bilateral GM, white matter hyperintensity (WMH), and selected based on previous associations with dementia. Cardiovascular health was measured with Life's Essential 8 score (LE8) converted to tertiles. Multiple linear regression models were used, adjusting for intracranial volumes (ICV) for subcortical structures, and for demographic, socio-economic, and the Alzheimer's Disease polygenic risk score for all outcomes, among potential confounders. RESULTS In fully adjusted models, hospital-treated infections were inversely related to GM (β ± SE: -1042 ± 379, p = 0.006) and directly related to WMH as percent of ICV (Loge transformed) (β ± SE:+0.026 ± 0.007, p < 0.001). Both total and hospital-treated infections were associated with poor WMI, while the latter was inversely related to FA within the lowest LE8 tertile (β ± SE:-0.0011 ± 0.0003, p < 0.001, PLE8×IB < 0.05), a pattern detected for GM, Right Frontal GM, left accumbens and left hippocampus volumes. Within the uppermost LE8 tertile, total infection burden was linked to smaller right amygdala while being associated with larger left frontal GM and right putamen volumes, in the overall sample. Within that uppermost tertile of LE8, caudate volumes were also positively associated with hospital-treated infections. CONCLUSIONS Hospital-treated infections had more consistent deleterious effects on volumetric and white matter integrity brain neuroimaging outcomes compared with total infectious burden, particularly in poorer cardiovascular health groups. Further studies are needed in comparable populations, including longitudinal studies with multiple repeats on neuroimaging markers.
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Affiliation(s)
- May A Beydoun
- Laboratory of Epidemiology and Population Sciences, National Institute on Aging, NIA/NIH/IRP, Baltimore, MD, United States.
| | - Hind A Beydoun
- Department of Research Programs, Fort Belvoir Community Hospital, Fort Belvoir, VA, United States
| | - Shawn D Gale
- Department of Psychology and the Neuroscience Center, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, United States
| | - Dawson Hedges
- Department of Psychology and the Neuroscience Center, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, United States
| | - Jordan Weiss
- Stanford Center on Longevity, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Zhiguang Li
- Laboratory of Epidemiology and Population Sciences, National Institute on Aging, NIA/NIH/IRP, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Lance D Erickson
- Department of Sociology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, United States
| | - Nicole Noren Hooten
- Laboratory of Epidemiology and Population Sciences, National Institute on Aging, NIA/NIH/IRP, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Lenore J Launer
- Laboratory of Epidemiology and Population Sciences, National Institute on Aging, NIA/NIH/IRP, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Michele K Evans
- Laboratory of Epidemiology and Population Sciences, National Institute on Aging, NIA/NIH/IRP, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Alan B Zonderman
- Laboratory of Epidemiology and Population Sciences, National Institute on Aging, NIA/NIH/IRP, Baltimore, MD, United States
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8
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Brito RMDM, da Silva MCM, Vieira-Santos F, de Almeida Lopes C, Souza JLN, Bastilho AL, de Barros Fernandes H, de Miranda AS, de Oliveira ACP, de Almeida Vitor RW, de Andrade-Neto VF, Bueno LL, Fujiwara RT, Magalhães LMD. Chronic infection by atypical Toxoplasma gondii strain induces disturbance in microglia population and altered behaviour in mice. Brain Behav Immun Health 2023; 30:100652. [PMID: 37396335 PMCID: PMC10308216 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbih.2023.100652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2023] [Revised: 06/03/2023] [Accepted: 06/04/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii chronic infection is characterized by the establishment of tissue cysts in the brain and increased levels of IFN-γ, which can lead to brain circuitry interference and consequently abnormal behaviour in mice. In this sense, the study presented here sought to investigate the impact of chronic infection by two T. gondii strains in the brain of infection-resistant mice, as a model for studying the involvement of chronic neuroinflammation with the development of behavioural alterations. For that, male BALB/c mice were divided into three groups: non-infected (Ni), infected with T. gondii ME49 clonal strain (ME49), and infected with TgCkBrRN2 atypical strain (CK2). Mice were monitored for 60 days to establish the chronic infection and then submitted to behavioural assessment. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used for measurement of specific IgG in the blood and levels of inflammatory cytokines and neurotrophic factors in the brain, and the cell's immunophenotype was determined by multiparametric flow cytometry. Mice infected with ME49 clonal strain displayed hyperlocomotor activity and memory deficit, although no signs of depressive- and/or anxiety-like behaviour were detected; on the other hand, chronic infection with CK2 atypical strain induced anxiety- and depressive-like behaviour. During chronic infection by CK2 atypical strain, mice displayed a higher number of T. gondii brain tissue cysts and inflammatory infiltrate, composed mainly of CD3+ T lymphocytes and Ly6Chi inflammatory monocytes, compared to mice infected with the ME49 clonal strain. Infected mice presented a marked decrease of microglia population compared to non-infected group. Chronic infection with CK2 strain produced elevated levels of IFN-γ and TNF-ɑ in the brain, decreased NGF levels in the prefrontal cortex and striatum, and altered levels of fractalkine (CX3CL1) in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. The persistent inflammation and the disturbance in the cerebral homeostasis may contribute to altered behaviour in mice, as the levels of IFN-γ were shown to be correlated with the behavioural parameters assessed here. Considering the high incidence and life-long persistence of T. gondii infection, this approach can be considered a suitable model for studying the impact of chronic infections in the brain and how it impacts in behavioural responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramayana Morais de Medeiros Brito
- Laboratory of Immunobiology and Control of Parasites, Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
- Laboratory of Malaria and Toxoplasmosis Biology, Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Biosciences Centre, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, Brazil
| | - Maria Carolina Machado da Silva
- Neuropharmacology Laboratory, Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Flaviane Vieira-Santos
- Laboratory of Immunobiology and Control of Parasites, Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Camila de Almeida Lopes
- Laboratory of Immunobiology and Control of Parasites, Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Jorge Lucas Nascimento Souza
- Laboratory of Immunobiology and Control of Parasites, Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Alexandre Lazoski Bastilho
- Laboratory of Malaria and Toxoplasmosis Biology, Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Biosciences Centre, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, Brazil
| | - Heliana de Barros Fernandes
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Aline Silva de Miranda
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Antônio Carlos Pinheiro de Oliveira
- Neuropharmacology Laboratory, Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Ricardo Wagner de Almeida Vitor
- Laboratory of Toxoplasmosis, Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Valter Ferreira de Andrade-Neto
- Laboratory of Malaria and Toxoplasmosis Biology, Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Biosciences Centre, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, Brazil
| | - Lilian Lacerda Bueno
- Laboratory of Immunobiology and Control of Parasites, Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Ricardo Toshio Fujiwara
- Laboratory of Immunobiology and Control of Parasites, Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Luísa Mourão Dias Magalhães
- Laboratory of Immunobiology and Control of Parasites, Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
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9
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Luzardo OP, Zaldívar-Laguía JE, Zumbado M, Travieso-Aja MDM. The Role of Veterinarians in Managing Community Cats: A Contextualized, Comprehensive Approach for Biodiversity, Public Health, and Animal Welfare. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13101586. [PMID: 37238021 DOI: 10.3390/ani13101586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Revised: 05/07/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Homeless cats are a major problem in Europe, with hundreds of thousands abandoned every year. While many die, others can adapt to a lifestyle of roaming freely and establish community cat populations that tend to cluster together in groups. These groups of cats are typically found in urban areas that offer food and shelter to the cats. Animal welfare organizations often care for these cats, providing them with food, shelter, and medical attention. Despite this, conflicts can arise due to the presence of free-roaming cats, with some individuals advocating for drastic measures such as trapping and killing the cats to reduce their populations. However, it is essential to note that such methods are frequently illegal, inhumane, and ultimately ineffective in most situations. A thorough assessment of the impact of cats on a particular natural area requires a comprehensive cat census, a detailed study of the species being preyed upon, and an investigation into the prevalence of zoonotic or epizootic diseases. Moreover, veterinary experts assert that the public health risks associated with cats are often overstated. This article aims to provide a nuanced perspective on the impact of cats on biodiversity in natural areas, while also discussing their role in transmitting the main zoonotic diseases identified in European countries in recent years, with a particular focus on Spain. Effective cat control programs should focus on non-lethal methods such as trap-neuter-return (TNR) and adoption. TNR has proven to be the most effective and humane method of controlling the free-roaming cat population, but its effectiveness is influenced by several factors, including adoption programs and public education on responsible pet ownership. According to Spanish veterinarians, sustainable and science-based solutions such as TNR programs are the best way to achieve population control of free-roaming cats. The veterinary profession should raise awareness regarding sterilization, vaccination, and identification of cats and the consequences of abandonment. They oppose lethal control and removal of cats from the environment, which are ineffective and unethical methods. To promote animal welfare, veterinary professionals must collaborate with public administrations to implement long-term, sustainable solutions to the problem of cat overpopulation. Greater social awareness regarding the importance of sterilization and identification to prevent abandonment and reduce the number of free-roaming cats is also needed. Despite the challenges presented by homeless cat populations in Spain and the rest of Europe, there are many reasons for optimism. Animal welfare organizations and veterinary professionals are actively collaborating to develop humane and effective solutions to manage community cats, including programs such as TNR and adoption. Furthermore, these initiatives are gaining momentum and support from emerging laws and regulations, such as the recent Spanish animal welfare law. Through these efforts, we can reduce the number of free-roaming cats and improve their quality of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Octavio P Luzardo
- Biomedical and Health Research Institute (IUIBS), University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35016 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35400 Arucas, Spain
- Abolitionist Association of Veterinarians against Bullfighting and Animal Abuse (AVATMA), 28045 Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Manuel Zumbado
- Biomedical and Health Research Institute (IUIBS), University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35016 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35400 Arucas, Spain
- Abolitionist Association of Veterinarians against Bullfighting and Animal Abuse (AVATMA), 28045 Madrid, Spain
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10
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Veleva I, Stoychev K, Stoimenova-Popova M, Stoyanov L, Mineva-Dimitrova E, Angelov I. Toxoplasma gondii seropositivity and cognitive function in adults with schizophrenia. Schizophr Res Cogn 2022; 30:100269. [PMID: 36065435 PMCID: PMC9440062 DOI: 10.1016/j.scog.2022.100269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Revised: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Introduction and methods Based on the limited research focusing on the severity of cognitive deterioration in schizophrenia with preceding toxoplasmosis, we sampled 89 demographically matched paranoid schizophrenia patients (mean age 38.97 years) with (n = 42) and without (n = 47) seroprevalence of IgG type anti T. gondii antibodies as marker of past infection. They underwent examination of verbal memory (10 words Luria test), logical memory and visual memory (BVRT), processing speed (TMT-A/DSST) and executive functions (TMT-B/verbal fluency). We compared the results of both groups, taking into account the normative values for the Bulgarian population where available. We also compared the two groups in terms of clinical severity as evidenced by positive, negative and disorganization sub-scores of the PANSS. Results While both groups were expectedly under the population norms for verbal and logical memory, seropositive patients showed significantly bigger impairment in verbal memory (Luria Smax = 72.85 vs 78.51; p = 0.029), psychomotor speed (TMT-A 50.98 s vs 44.64 s; p = 0.017), semantic verbal fluency (27.12 vs 30.02; p = 0.011) and literal verbal fluency (17.17 vs 18.78; p = 0.014) compared to the seronegative ones. In addition to that, they gave less correct answers on the BVRT (2.98 vs 4.09; p = 0.006) while making markedly more errors (13.95 vs 10.21; p = 0.002). Despite not reaching statistical significance, past toxoplasmosis was associated with higher score on the PANSS disorganization sub-scale (16.50 points vs 14.72 points) and with lower educational attainment. Conclusion Our results suggest a more profound neuropathological insult(s) resulting in greater cognitive impairment in schizophrenia cases that are exposed to T. gondii infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivanka Veleva
- Department of Psychiatry and Medical Psychology, Medical University Pleven, Bulgaria
| | - Kaloyan Stoychev
- Department of Psychiatry and Medical Psychology, Medical University Pleven, Bulgaria
| | | | - Lyudmil Stoyanov
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Epidemiology, Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, Medical University Pleven, Bulgaria
| | | | - Ivelin Angelov
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Epidemiology, Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, Medical University Pleven, Bulgaria
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11
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Al-Kremy NAR, Al-Qrashy MA. Estimation of Cyclophilin and Phospholipase Enzyme in Women Infected with Toxoplasmosis. Med Arch 2022; 76:443-446. [PMID: 36937607 PMCID: PMC10019867 DOI: 10.5455/medarh.2022.76.443-446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Toxoplasma gondii, a protozoan parasite with a worldwide distribution, is considered to infect one-third of all humans. many species. The intracellular parasite Toxoplasma gondii causes toxoplasmosis. Numerous physiological abnormalities are documented in toxoplasmosis-infected women. Objective This study aims to demonstrate the connection between cyclophilins, the phospholipase enzyme, and latent toxoplasmosis. Methods The research was carried out between January 2022 and June 2022. out of 150 patients had blood samples drawn, 250 had serum samples drawn from women with toxoplasma gondi infection, and 50 had healthy samples drawn from Hila city, Iraq. To exclude subjects who had any medical disorders, information from the subjects was gathered via an interviewer-managed questionnaire. ELISA was used to examine the serum. Results: About 250 samples from women with infertility were infected with Toxoplasma gondii overall (24%) Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay was utilized to evaluate the levels of phospholipase and cyclophilin, while automated VIDAS family instruments were employed to determine the qualitative and quantitative anti-Toxoplasma-IgG-tests (ELISA). Since there was a substantial difference in the statistical analysis and a significant difference in the cyclophilin protein, parasite infection changed the quantity of the enzyme phospholipase. Conclusion This study put forth the theory that toxoplasmosis infection. Our investigation showed that patients with toxoplasma Gondi infection had higher levels of cyclophilins and phospholipase than control subjects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noor Abdul Redah Al-Kremy
- Department of Medical Laboratory Techniques, Al-Mustaqbal University College, Hilla, Babylon, Iraq
- Department of Biology, College of Science, University of Babylon, Hilla, Babylon, Iraq
| | - Maher Ali Al-Qrashy
- Department of Biology, College of Science, University of Babylon, Hilla, Babylon, Iraq
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12
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Guimarães AL, Richer Araujo Coelho D, Scoriels L, Mambrini J, Ribeiro do Valle Antonelli L, Henriques P, Teixeira-Carvalho A, Assis Martins Filho O, Mineo J, Bahia-Oliveira L, Panizzutti R. Effects of Toxoplasma gondii infection on cognition, symptoms, and response to digital cognitive training in schizophrenia. SCHIZOPHRENIA (HEIDELBERG, GERMANY) 2022; 8:104. [PMID: 36434103 PMCID: PMC9700796 DOI: 10.1038/s41537-022-00292-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Studies indicate that neuroscience-informed digital cognitive training can remediate cognitive impairments in schizophrenia, but the factors contributing to these deficits and response to treatment remain unclear. Toxoplasma gondii is a neuroinvasive parasite linked to cognitive decline that also presents a higher prevalence in schizophrenia. Here, we compared the cognition and symptom severity of IgG seropositive (TOXO+; n = 25) and seronegative (TOXO-; n = 35) patients who participated in a randomized controlled trial of digital cognitive training. At baseline, TOXO+ subjects presented lower global cognition than TOXO- (F = 3.78, p = 0.05). Specifically, TOXO+ subjects showed worse verbal memory and learning (F = 4.48, p = 0.03), social cognition (F = 5.71, p = 0.02), and higher antibody concentrations were associated with increased negative (r = 0.42, p = 0.04) and total (r = 0.40, p = 0.04) schizophrenia symptoms. After training, the TOXO+ group showed higher adherence to the intervention (X2 = 9.31, p = 0.03), but there were no differences in changes in cognition and symptoms between groups. These findings highlight the association between seropositivity to T. gondii and deteriorated cognition and symptoms in schizophrenia. Further research is needed to assess the specific efficacy of digital cognitive training on this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Luiza Guimarães
- grid.8536.80000 0001 2294 473XInstituto de Psiquiatria, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil ,grid.8536.80000 0001 2294 473XInstituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - David Richer Araujo Coelho
- grid.8536.80000 0001 2294 473XDepartamento de Imunoparasitologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Linda Scoriels
- grid.8536.80000 0001 2294 473XInstituto de Psiquiatria, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil ,grid.8536.80000 0001 2294 473XInstituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Juliana Mambrini
- grid.418068.30000 0001 0723 0931Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Priscilla Henriques
- grid.418068.30000 0001 0723 0931Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Andréa Teixeira-Carvalho
- grid.418068.30000 0001 0723 0931Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - José Mineo
- grid.411284.a0000 0004 4647 6936Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - Lilian Bahia-Oliveira
- grid.8536.80000 0001 2294 473XDepartamento de Imunoparasitologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Rogério Panizzutti
- grid.8536.80000 0001 2294 473XInstituto de Psiquiatria, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil ,grid.8536.80000 0001 2294 473XInstituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Bahreini MS, Sami Jahromi S, Radfar AH, Salemi AM, Dastan N, Asgari Q. The Relationship of Latent Toxoplasmosis and Cigarette Smoking: Seroprevalence, Risk Factor, and Case-Control Study in Fars Province, Southern Iran. Pathogens 2022; 11:1274. [PMID: 36365025 PMCID: PMC9696781 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11111274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Revised: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic disease with worldwide prevalence. Despite the relatively similar effects of toxoplasmosis and smoking on alteration in neurotransmitters, especially dopamine, little is known about the relation of Toxoplasma gondii infection and addiction to cigarette smoking. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to assess the relationship between latent toxoplasmosis and smoking. Through a case-control study, 216 regular cigarette smokers and 324 nonsmoker age- and gender-matched subjects were evaluated for anti-T.gondii IgG antibodies with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). During the sampling, a structured questionnaire was used to obtain the demographic information of participants and the risk factors of acquired Toxoplasma. The median ages of case and control groups were 51.04 ± 18.1 (22-97 years) and 51.03 ± 16.5 (21-89 years), respectively (p = 0.99). Anti-T.gondii IgG antibodies were detected in 44 (20.37%) cases and in 135 (41.67%) controls. There was a statistically significant difference for the positivity rate between the smokers and the control group (OR = 0.35; 95%CI: 0.19-0.65; and p = 0.001). The overall prevalence was 33.14%. This study indicated the inverse association between seropositivity to Toxoplasma infection and cigarette smoking. This relationship could be due to the changes that latent toxoplasmosis has on the neurotransmitters, especially dopamine, which needs more research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Saleh Bahreini
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz 7134845794, Iran
| | - Sareh Sami Jahromi
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz 7134845794, Iran
| | - Amir Hossein Radfar
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz 7134845794, Iran
| | - Amir Masoud Salemi
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz 7134845794, Iran
| | - Naghmeh Dastan
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz 7134845794, Iran
| | - Qasem Asgari
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz 7134845794, Iran
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Ademe M, Kebede T, Teferra S, Alemayehu M, Girma F, Abebe T. Is latent Toxoplasma gondii infection associated with the occurrence of schizophrenia? A case-control study. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0270377. [PMID: 35737701 PMCID: PMC9223392 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0270377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction
Neurotropic pathogens such as Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) which result in chronic infections in the brain are associated with mental illnesses. In view of this, a growing body of literature has revealed the possible interaction of schizophrenia and T. gondii infection.
Method
A case-control study was conducted from February 2018 to January 2019 among 47 Schizophrenia patients and 47 age and sex-matched controls. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire. Serum was used for serological analysis of anti-T. gondii IgG and IgM antibodies through chemiluminescent immunoassay. Proportions and mean with standard deviations (SD) were used as descriptive measures and variables with p-values <0.05 were considered as statistically significant and independently associated with schizophrenia.
Result
The mean ages of schizophrenia patients and controls were 29.64 ± 5.8 yrs and 30.98 ± 7.3 yrs, respectively. We found that 81.9% (77/94) of the study subjects had a positive anti-T. gondii IgG antibody. While the difference is statistically insignificant, schizophrenic patients have a marginally higher seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis than controls (87.2% vs 80.9%; p = 0.398). Schizophrenia cases who live in homes with soil floors have a significantly higher T. gondii infection as compared to those who live in homes with cement/ceramic floors (90.9% vs 33.3%; p = 0.004). Furthermore, there was a significantly lower T. gondii infection among schizophrenic cases who were taking antipsychotic medication for more than three yrs (79.3% vs 100.0%, p = 0.039). On the other hand, among all study subjects who have T. gondii infection, subjects who are addicted to khat and alcohol were about seven times more likely to develop schizophrenia (71.4% vs 47.7%, OR = 7.13, p = 0.024).
Conclusion
Our data is not sufficient to show a significant positive correlation between T. gondii infection and schizophrenia. For study subjects with T. gondii infection, addiction to khat and alcohol is one of the risk factors for schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muluneh Ademe
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
- * E-mail:
| | - Tadesse Kebede
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Solomon Teferra
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Melkam Alemayehu
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Friehiwot Girma
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Health Nursing, School of Health Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
| | - Tamrat Abebe
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
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Segerstrom SC, Reed RG, Karr JE. Cytomegalovirus and Toxoplasma Gondii Serostatus Prospectively Correlated With Problems in Self-Regulation but not Executive Function Among Older Adults. Psychosom Med 2022; 84:603-611. [PMID: 35420585 PMCID: PMC9167754 DOI: 10.1097/psy.0000000000001086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Toxoplasma gondii are organisms that may infect the brain and have cognitive and behavioral consequences. We hypothesized that these latent infections would be prospectively associated with poorer cognition and more problems in self-regulation among older adults. METHODS Older adults (n = 138, mean age = 75.5 years, 59% women) had CMV and T. gondii serostatus tested, crystallized intelligence estimated (North American Adult Reading Test), and executive function (EF; e.g., Trail Making Test) and self-regulation (Behavior Regulation Inventory of Executive Function-Adult) assessed in visits occurring every 6 months (mean visits = 16). RESULTS CMV+ people (79%) had significantly poorer self-regulation versus CMV- people (21%; behavioral regulation: γ = 0.108, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.009-0.206; metacognition: γ = 0.117, 95% CI = 0.005-0.229), but not intelligence or EF. T. gondii+ people (24%) were not significantly different from T. gondii- people (76%) on any outcome. However, T. gondii+ men had better self-regulation versus T. gondii- men, and the opposite was true of women (behavioral regulation interaction: γ = 0.267, 95% CI = 0.093-0.441). CONCLUSIONS CMV latent infection was associated with more problems in self-regulation, and the magnitude of this difference was clinically significant. T. gondii latent infection was associated with more problems, but only for women. Latent infection might associate with self-regulation but not EF because of factors influencing self-regulation but not neuropsychological test performance, such as values and emotion. Efforts to link latent infection with EFs might, in the future, include the application of those functions to self-regulation in daily life.
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Nayeri T, Sarvi S, Daryani A. Toxoplasmosis: Targeting neurotransmitter systems in psychiatric disorders. Metab Brain Dis 2022; 37:123-146. [PMID: 34476718 DOI: 10.1007/s11011-021-00824-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The most common form of the disease caused by Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is latent toxoplasmosis due to the formation of tissue cysts in various organs, such as the brain. Latent toxoplasmosis is probably a risk factor in the development of some neuropsychiatric disorders. Behavioral changes after infection are caused by the host immune response, manipulation by the parasite, central nervous system (CNS) inflammation, as well as changes in hormonal and neuromodulator relationships. The present review focused on the exact mechanisms of T. gondii effect on the alteration of behavior and neurotransmitter levels, their catabolites and metabolites, as well as the interaction between immune responses and this parasite in the etiopathogenesis of psychiatric disorders. The dysfunction of neurotransmitters in the neural transmission is associated with several neuropsychiatric disorders. However, further intensive studies are required to determine the effect of this parasite on altering the level of neurotransmitters and the role of neurotransmitters in the etiology of host behavioral changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tooran Nayeri
- Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
- Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
- Student Research Committee, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Shahabeddin Sarvi
- Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
- Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Ahmad Daryani
- Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.
- Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.
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Morelli S, Diakou A, Di Cesare A, Colombo M, Traversa D. Canine and Feline Parasitology: Analogies, Differences, and Relevance for Human Health. Clin Microbiol Rev 2021; 34:e0026620. [PMID: 34378954 PMCID: PMC8404700 DOI: 10.1128/cmr.00266-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Cats and dogs are treated as family members by most pet owners. Therefore, a high quality of veterinary care and preventive medicine is imperative for animal health and welfare and for the protection of humans from zoonotic pathogens. There is a general perception of cats being treated as "small dogs," especially in the field of clinical parasitology. As a result, several important differences between the two animal species are not taken into proper consideration and are often overlooked. Dogs and cats are profoundly different under evolutionary, biological, ethological, behavioral, and immunological standpoints. These differences impact clinical features, diagnosis, and control of canine and feline parasites and transmission risk for humans. This review outlines the most common parasitoses and vector-borne diseases of dogs and cats, with a focus on major convergences and divergences, and discusses parasites that have (i) evolved based on different preys for dogs and cats, (ii) adapted due to different immunological or behavioral animal profiles, and (iii) developed more similarities than differences in canine and feline infections and associated diseases. Differences, similarities, and peculiarities of canine and feline parasitology are herein reviewed in three macrosections: (i) carnivorism, vegetarianism, anatomy, genetics, and parasites, (ii) evolutionary adaptation of nematodes, including veterinary reconsideration and zoonotic importance, and (iii) behavior and immune system driving ectoparasites and transmitted diseases. Emphasis is given to provide further steps toward a more accurate evaluation of canine and feline parasitology in a changing world in terms of public health relevance and One Health approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Morelli
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
| | - Anastasia Diakou
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Angela Di Cesare
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
| | | | - Donato Traversa
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
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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.
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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
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de Haan L, Sutterland AL, Schotborgh JV, Schirmbeck F, de Haan L. Association of Toxoplasma gondii Seropositivity With Cognitive Function in Healthy People: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. JAMA Psychiatry 2021; 78:1103-1112. [PMID: 34259822 PMCID: PMC8281022 DOI: 10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2021.1590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
IMPORTANCE The parasite Toxoplasma gondii has been associated with behavioral alterations and psychiatric disorders. Studies investigating neurocognition in people with T gondii infection have reported varying results. To systematically analyze these findings, a meta-analysis evaluating cognitive function in healthy people with and without T gondii seropositivity is needed. OBJECTIVE To assess whether and to what extent T gondii seropositivity is associated with cognitive function in otherwise healthy people. DATA SOURCES A systematic search was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) reporting guideline. A systematic search of PubMed, MEDLINE, Web of Science, PsycInfo, and Embase was performed to identify studies from database inception to June 7, 2019, that analyzed cognitive function among healthy participants with available data on T gondii seropositivity. Search terms included toxoplasmosis, neurotoxoplasmosis, Toxoplasma gondii, cognition disorder, neuropsychological, and psychomotor performance. STUDY SELECTION Studies that performed cognitive assessment and analyzed T gondii seroprevalence among otherwise healthy participants were included. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS Two researchers independently extracted data from published articles; if needed, authors were contacted to provide additional data. Quantitative syntheses were performed in predefined cognitive domains when 4 independent data sets per domain were available. Study quality, heterogeneity, and publication bias were assessed. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Performance on neuropsychological tests measuring cognitive function. RESULTS The systematic search yielded 1954 records. After removal of 533 duplicates, an additional 1363 records were excluded based on a review of titles and abstracts. A total of 58 full-text articles were assessed for eligibility (including reference list screening); 45 articles were excluded because they lacked important data or did not meet study inclusion or reference list criteria. The remaining 13 studies comprising 13 289 healthy participants (mean [SD] age, 46.7 [16.0] years; 6586 men [49.6%]) with and without T gondii seropositivity were included in the meta-analysis. Participants without T gondii seropositivity had favorable functioning in 4 cognitive domains: processing speed (standardized mean difference [SMD], 0.12; 95% CI, 0.05-0.19; P = .001), working memory (SMD, 0.16; 95% CI, 0.06-0.26; P = .002), short-term verbal memory (SMD, 0.18; 95% CI, 0.09-0.27; P < .001), and executive functioning (SMD, 0.15; 95% CI, 0.01-0.28; P = .03). A meta-regression analysis found a significant association between older age and executive functioning (Q = 6.17; P = .01). Little suggestion of publication bias was detected. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE The study's findings suggested that T gondii seropositivity was associated with mild cognitive impairment in several cognitive domains. Although effect sizes were small, given the ubiquitous prevalence of this infection globally, the association with cognitive impairment could imply a considerable adverse effect at the population level. Further research is warranted to investigate the underlying mechanisms of this association.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lies de Haan
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Arjen L. Sutterland
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Jasper V. Schotborgh
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Frederike Schirmbeck
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Lieuwe de Haan
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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Toxoplasma gondii seropositivity in patients with depressive and anxiety disorders. Brain Behav Immun Health 2021; 11:100197. [PMID: 34589730 PMCID: PMC8474384 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbih.2020.100197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is an obligate intracellular parasite that is estimated to be carried by one-third of the world population. Latent T. gondii infection has been linked to several neuropsychiatric mood disorders and behaviors. The aim of the present study was to examine whether T. gondii seropositivity is associated with affective disorders, as well as with aggression reactivity and suicidal thoughts. Methods In the Netherlands Study of Depression and Anxiety (NESDA), T. gondii antibodies were assessed in patients with current depressive (n = 133), anxiety (n = 188), comorbid depressive and anxiety (n = 148), and remitted disorders (n = 889), as well as in healthy controls (n = 373) based on DSM-IV criteria. Seropositivity was analyzed in relation to disorder status, aggression reactivity and suicidal thoughts using multivariate analyses of covariance and regression analyses. Results Participants were on average 51.2 years (SD = 13.2), and 64.4% were female. Seropositivity was found in 673 participants (38.9%). A strong positive association between T. gondii seropositivity and age was observed. No significant associations were found between T. gondii seropositivity and disorder status, aggression reactivity and suicidal thoughts. The adjusted odds ratio (OR) for any remitted disorder versus controls was 1.13 (95% CI: 0.87-1.49), and for any current disorder versus controls was 0.94 (95% CI: 0.69-1.28). Conclusions No evidence was found for a relationship between affective disorders and T. gondii infection in the current sample.
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Arruda JSD, Tibúrcio JD, de Campos-Carli SM, Teixeira AL, Vasconcelos-Santos DV. Vision-Related Quality Of Life And Depression In Brazilian Patients With Toxoplasmic Retinochoroiditis. Int J Infect Dis 2021; 112:66-72. [PMID: 34478868 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2021.08.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2021] [Revised: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 08/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate visual-related quality of life (VRQL) and prevalence and severity of depressive symptoms in Brazilian individuals with toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis (TRC). DESIGN Comparative observational cross-sectional study. The National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire-25 (NEI-VFQ-25) and Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) were applied to respectively assess VRQL and depression in individuals consecutively seen at a uveitis referral center. Clinical/demographical data were collected. Descriptive/analytic statistics were employed, with P<0.05. RESULTS Patients and controls were comparable concerning age, sex and socioeconomic level. VRQL scores for all subscales were significantly lower in TRC when compared with controls, particularly associated (P<0.05) with female sex, history of ≥2 prior TRC recurrences, concomitant use of systemic corticosteroids, monocular vision and blindness. Depressive symptoms were more prevalent in TRC (55/188; 29.2%) than in controls (34/182; 18.7%) (P=0.023), also being associated with lower VRQL scores (P<0.001). Seropositive and seronegative controls for toxoplasmosis had similar VRQL scores and comparable rates of depressive symptoms. CONCLUSION TRC affects VRQL in Brazilian individuals, particularly women, using systemic corticosteroids, with visual impairment and presenting recurrences of TRC. One-third of patients with TRC had evidence of depression, which was also associated with lower VRQL scores. Mental health issues in subjects with TRC should not be overlooked.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacqueline Souza Dutra Arruda
- Department of Ophthalmology, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Aplicadas à Cirurgia e à Oftalmologia, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | | | - Salvina Maria de Campos-Carli
- Programa Pós-Graduação em Neurociências, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Antônio Lucio Teixeira
- Programa Pós-Graduação em Neurociências, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas, Houston, USA
| | - Daniel Vitor Vasconcelos-Santos
- Department of Ophthalmology, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Aplicadas à Cirurgia e à Oftalmologia, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
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Gale SD, Erickson LD, Brown BL, Hedges DW. Examining the Relationship between Toxoplasma gondii and Seropositivity and Serointensity and Depression in Adults from the United Kingdom and the United States: A Cross-Sectional Study. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10091101. [PMID: 34578136 PMCID: PMC8470860 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10091101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2021] [Revised: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Infecting approximately one-third of the world’s population, the neurotropic protozoan Toxoplasma gondii has been associated with cognition and several neuropsychiatric diseases including schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Findings have been mixed, however, about the relationship between Toxoplasma gondii and depression, with some studies reporting positive associations and others finding no associations. To further investigate the association between Toxoplasma gondii and depression, we used data from the UK Biobank and the National Health and Examination Survey (NHANES). Results from adjusted multiple-regression modeling showed no significant associations between Toxoplasma gondii and depression in either the UK Biobank or NHANES datasets. Further, we found no significant interactions between Toxoplasma gondii and age, sex, educational attainment, and income in either dataset that affected the association between Toxoplasma gondii and depression. These results from two community-based datasets suggest that in these samples, Toxoplasma gondii is not associated with depression. Differences between our findings and other findings showing an association between Toxoplasma gondii and depression could be due to several factors including differences in socioeconomic variables, differences in Toxoplasma gondii strain, and use of different covariates in statistical modeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shawn D. Gale
- Department of Psychology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA; (B.L.B.); (D.W.H.)
- The Neuroscience Center, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-801-422-9757
| | - Lance D. Erickson
- Department of Sociology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA;
| | - Bruce L. Brown
- Department of Psychology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA; (B.L.B.); (D.W.H.)
| | - Dawson W. Hedges
- Department of Psychology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA; (B.L.B.); (D.W.H.)
- The Neuroscience Center, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA
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Akgül Ö, Demirel ÖF, Aksoy Poyraz C, Tanriöver Aydin E, Uysal N, Bulu E, Sapmaz B, Çalişkan R, Öner YA. Toxoplasma gondii infection by serological and molecular methods in schizophrenia patients with and without suicide attempts: An age-sex-matched case-control study. Int J Clin Pract 2021; 75:e14449. [PMID: 34106507 DOI: 10.1111/ijcp.14449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The opinion that latent Toxoplasma gondii infection is having a broadly asymptomatic projection has now been interrogated, in specific due to the echoed association between the latent infection and an elevated incidence of schizophrenia or even suicide attempts. Notwithstanding conducted studies aimed to understand this feasible link are restricted. METHODS In the present case-control study, we focused to illuminate the relationship between the serological and molecular presence of T gondii and schizophrenia with or without the suicide attempts by comparing it with healthy individuals. A total of 237 participants (117 in schizophrenia and 120 in healthy control) were included in this study. RESULTS Overall, latent T gondii infections were found statistically higher in 63 (53.8%) of the 117 patients with schizophrenia and in 33 (27.5%) of the 120 controls (P < .001). In schizophrenia patients, seroprevalence T gondii was again found to be statistically higher in suicide attempters (59.6%), compared with no history of suicide attempts (48.3%; P < .05). The molecular positivity rate of T gondii DNA was higher in the schizophrenia group, compared with the healthy control group (P < .05), whereas the history of suicide attempts was not statistically associated (P = .831) with T gondii DNA positivity by polymerase chain reaction. CONCLUSION This case-control study enlightens additional demonstration to the belief that T gondii infection would be an underlying component for the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. Regardless of the clarity results of this study, this supposition warrants further endorsement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Özer Akgül
- Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Medicine, Istanbul Aydin University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Ömer Faruk Demirel
- Department of Psychiatry, Istanbul University - Cerrahpaşa, Cerrahpaşa School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Cana Aksoy Poyraz
- Department of Psychiatry, Istanbul University - Cerrahpaşa, Cerrahpaşa School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Ezgi Tanriöver Aydin
- Department of Psychiatry, Istanbul University - Cerrahpaşa, Cerrahpaşa School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Nuray Uysal
- Department of Psychiatry, Istanbul University - Cerrahpaşa, Cerrahpaşa School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Ersel Bulu
- Department of Psychiatry, Istanbul University - Cerrahpaşa, Cerrahpaşa School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Burcu Sapmaz
- Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Medicine, Istanbul Aydin University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Reyhan Çalişkan
- Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Medicine, Istanbul Aydin University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Yaşar Ali Öner
- Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Medicine, Istanbul Aydin University, Istanbul, Turkey
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Toxoplasma gondii could have a possible role in the cancer mechanism by modulating the host's cell response. Acta Trop 2021; 220:105966. [PMID: 34023305 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2021.105966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2021] [Revised: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii, which manipulates many signaling pathways to achieve persistence in host cells, is intimately linked to immune and inflammation responses. However, there is still lack of information about the impact of T. gondii on cellular and immune responses. This study was designed to seek the impact of T. gondii infection causing life-long inflammation in brain, on cancer mechanism. To identify molecular effects of the T. gondii and understand the association between the functional perturbations occurring during infection and cancer development, the transcriptomic datasets obtained mice infected with T. gondii were downloaded from GEO. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified and functional enrichment analysis was performed using IPA platform, then all results were evaluated with comparison analyses. Subsequently, a T. gondii infection model with human neuroepithelioma cell culture was performed in order to validate top DEGs participated in common networks/pathways in cancer mechanism. Transcriptomic analyses of infected mice and in vitro cell culture model revealed a strong immune response and inflammation occurred by parasite-induced damage and parasite-associated immunopathology in host cell and tissue. T. gondii infection could modulate certain signaling pathways of host, which were also common to those perturbed in carcinogenesis. Interestingly, the network analysis of the data sets predicted an activation in development of solid cancer vice versa inhibition in hematological cancer during T. gondii infection. Parasite might also control the tumor growth due to its potent immune-stimulant effects. As result, T. gondii infection generating a continual inflammation in tissues might potentially contribute to cancer development by regulating critical host signaling pathways or reveal an anti-tumoral activity.
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Burkhardt E, Berger M, Yolken RH, Lin A, Yuen HP, Wood SJ, Francey SM, Thompson A, McGorry PD, Nelson B, Yung AR, Amminger GP. Toxoplasma gondii, Herpesviridae and long-term risk of transition to first-episode psychosis in an ultra high-risk sample. Schizophr Res 2021; 233:24-30. [PMID: 34225023 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2021.06.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2020] [Revised: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ultra high-risk (UHR) criteria were introduced to identify people at imminent risk of developing psychosis. To improve prognostic accuracy, additional clinical and biological risk factors have been researched. Associations between psychotic disorders and infections with Toxoplasma gondii and Herpesviridae have been found. It is unknown if exposure to those pathogens increases the risk of transition to psychosis in UHR cohorts. METHODS We conducted a long-term follow-up of 96 people meeting UHR criteria, previously seen at the Personal Assessment and Crisis Evaluation (PACE) clinic, a specialized service in Melbourne, Australia. Transition to psychosis was assessed using the Comprehensive Assessment of the At-Risk Mental State (CAARMS) and state public mental health records. The relationship between IgG antibodies to Herpesviridae (HSV-1, HSV-2, CMV, EBV, VZV) and Toxoplasma gondii and risk for transition was examined with Cox regression models. RESULTS Mean follow-up duration was 6.46 (±3.65) years. Participants who transitioned to psychosis (n = 14) had significantly higher antibody titers for Toxoplasma gondii compared to those who did not develop psychosis (p = 0.03). After adjusting for age, gender and year of baseline assessment, seropositivity for Toxoplasma gondii was associated with a 3.6-fold increase in transition hazard in multivariate Cox regression models (HR = 3.6; p = 0.036). No significant association was found between serostatus for Herpesviridae and risk of transition. CONCLUSIONS Exposure to Toxoplasma gondii may contribute to the manifestation of positive psychotic symptoms and increase the risk of transitioning to psychosis in UHR individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Burkhardt
- Orygen, Parkville, Melbourne, Australia; Centre for Youth Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.
| | - M Berger
- Orygen, Parkville, Melbourne, Australia; Centre for Youth Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - R H Yolken
- John Hopkins University School of Medicine, Stanley Division of Developmental Neurovirology, Baltimore, USA
| | - A Lin
- Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
| | - H P Yuen
- Orygen, Parkville, Melbourne, Australia; Centre for Youth Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - S J Wood
- Orygen, Parkville, Melbourne, Australia; Centre for Youth Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - S M Francey
- Orygen, Parkville, Melbourne, Australia; Centre for Youth Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - A Thompson
- Orygen, Parkville, Melbourne, Australia; Centre for Youth Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia; Division of Mental Health and Wellbeing, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, UK
| | - P D McGorry
- Orygen, Parkville, Melbourne, Australia; Centre for Youth Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - B Nelson
- Orygen, Parkville, Melbourne, Australia; Centre for Youth Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - A R Yung
- Orygen, Parkville, Melbourne, Australia; Centre for Youth Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia; School of Health Sciences, University of Manchester, UK
| | - G P Amminger
- Orygen, Parkville, Melbourne, Australia; Centre for Youth Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
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Ansari-Lari M, Zendehboodi Z, Masoudian M, Mohammadi F. Additive effect of glutathione S-transferase T1 active genotype and infection with Toxoplasma gondii for increasing the risk of schizophrenia. Nord J Psychiatry 2021; 75:275-280. [PMID: 33191823 DOI: 10.1080/08039488.2020.1843711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To determine if Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) infection may play a role in the development of schizophrenia in genetically susceptible persons with regard to genes encoding glutathione S-transferase T1 (GSTT1) and M1 (GSTM1). METHODS A total of 78 cases with psychiatric diagnosis of schizophrenia were compared with 91 healthy controls. For detection of IgG antibodies, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used. Genotyping of GSTM1 and GSTT1 was performed by multiplex PCR. Chi-square and logistic regression were used for statistical analyses. RESULTS A higher frequency of the GSTT1 active gene in schizophrenic patients was observed. When risk categories based on the combination of T. gondii status and GSTs polymorphisms were compared, risk of schizophrenia increased in T. gondii positive/GSTT1 absent subjects (OR = 4.75, p = 0.05) compared with T. gondii negative/GSTT1 absent group. When T. gondii positive subjects had the GSTT1 active genotype, the risk increased linearly (OR = 10.20, p < 0.001). Odds ratio in T. gondii positive groups were almost the same in combination with the GSTM1 active genotype (OR = 4.45, p = 0.003) or null genotype (OR = 4.37, p = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS Our results showed an additive effect for T. gondii and GSTT1 active genotype as risk factors for schizophrenia in Iranian population. This is a small pilot study and replicating the study with larger groups of patients in multinational investigation to clarify these findings is recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Ansari-Lari
- Department of Food Hygiene and Public Heath, School of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Zahra Zendehboodi
- Department of Biology, College of Sciences, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Malihe Masoudian
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Fahimeh Mohammadi
- Graduated from the School of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran
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Dissociating direct and indirect effects: a theoretical framework of how latent toxoplasmosis affects cognitive profile across the lifespan. Neurobiol Aging 2021; 102:119-128. [PMID: 33765425 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2021.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2020] [Revised: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 02/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
About one-third of the world's population has latent toxoplasmosis, which is typically most prevalent in old age due to its lifelong persistence. Most infected people do not reveal clinically relevant symptoms, but T. gondii might trigger cognitive changes in otherwise asymptomatic individuals. As intact cognitive processes are essential for various achievements and successful aging, this review focuses on the cognitive profile associated with latent toxoplasmosis across the lifespan. It could be explained by a shift in balance between direct effects (increased dopamine synthesis) and indirect effects (neurodegeneration and chronic inflammation, which can decrease dopamine levels). Based thereon, we provide a possibly comprehensive framework of how T. gondii can differently affect cognitive performance across the lifespan (i.e., from increased catecholaminergic signaling in young age to decreased signaling in old age). We outline how future studies may inform our knowledge on the role of individual differences in response to T. gondii and how longitudinal studies can help trace the temporal dynamics in the shift of the balance between direct and indirect effects.
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Association between Toxoplasma gondii seropositivity and serointensity and brain volume in adults: A cross-sectional study. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0245994. [PMID: 33544748 PMCID: PMC7864421 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0245994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2020] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The intracellular protozoal parasite Toxoplasma gondii has been associated with worsened cognitive function in animal models and in humans. Despite these associations, the mechanisms by which Toxoplasma gondii might affect cognitive function remain unknown, although Toxoplasma gondii does produce physiologically active intraneuronal cysts and appears to affect dopamine synthesis. Using data from the UK Biobank, we sought to determine whether Toxoplasma gondii is associated with decreased prefrontal, hippocampal, and thalamic gray-matter volumes and with decreased total gray-matter and total white-matter volumes in an adult community-based sample. The results from adjusted multivariable regression modelling showed no associations between Toxoplasma gondii and prefrontal, hippocampal, and thalamic brain gray-matter volumes. In contrast, natural-log transformed antibody levels against the Toxoplasma gondii p22 (b = -3960, 95-percent confidence interval, -6536 to -1383, p < .01) and sag1 (b = -4863, 95-percent confidence interval, –8301 to -1425, p < .01) antigens were associated with smaller total gray-matter volume, as was the mean of natural-log transformed p22 and sag1 titers (b = -6141, 95-percent confidence interval, -9886 to -2397, p < .01). There were no associations between any of the measures of Toxoplasma gondii and total white-matter volume. These findings suggest that Toxoplasma gondii might be associated with decreased total gray-matter in middle-aged and older middle-aged adults in a community-based sample from the United Kingdom.
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Tong WH, Pavey C, O'Handley R, Vyas A. Behavioral biology of Toxoplasma gondii infection. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:77. [PMID: 33494777 PMCID: PMC7831251 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04528-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan parasite with a complex life cycle and a cosmopolitan host range. The asexual part of its life cycle can be perpetually sustained in a variety of intermediate hosts through a combination of carnivory and vertical transmission. However, T. gondii produces gametes only in felids after the predation of infected intermediate hosts. The parasite changes the behavior of its intermediate hosts by reducing their innate fear to cat odors and thereby plausibly increasing the probability that the definitive host will devour the infected host. Here, we provide a short description of such parasitic behavioral manipulation in laboratory rodents infected with T. gondii, along with a bird's eye view of underpinning biological changes in the host. We also summarize critical gaps and opportunities for future research in this exciting research area with broad implications in the transdisciplinary study of host-parasite relationships.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen Han Tong
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University (SBS-NTU), 60 Nanyang Drive, Singapore, 637551, Singapore
| | - Chris Pavey
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) Land and Water, Darwin, Australia
| | - Ryan O'Handley
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, University of Adelaide, Roseworthy Campus, Roseworthy, Australia
| | - Ajai Vyas
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University (SBS-NTU), 60 Nanyang Drive, Singapore, 637551, Singapore.
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Behavioral Manipulation by Toxoplasma gondii: Does Brain Residence Matter? Trends Parasitol 2021; 37:381-390. [PMID: 33461902 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2020.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2020] [Revised: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 12/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii infects a wide range of intermediate hosts. The parasite produces brain cysts during the latent phase of its infection, in parallel to causing a loss of innate aversion in the rat host towards cat odors. Host behavioral change presumably reflects a parasitic manipulation to increase predation by definitive felid hosts, although evidence for increased predation is not yet available. In this opinion piece, we propose a neuroendocrine loop to explain the role of gonadal steroids in the parasitized hosts in mediating the behavioral manipulation. We argue that the presence of tissue cysts within the host brain is merely incidental to the behavioral change, without a necessary or sufficient role.
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Postolache TT, Wadhawan A, Rujescu D, Hoisington AJ, Dagdag A, Baca-Garcia E, Lowry CA, Okusaga OO, Brenner LA. Toxoplasma gondii, Suicidal Behavior, and Intermediate Phenotypes for Suicidal Behavior. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:665682. [PMID: 34177652 PMCID: PMC8226025 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.665682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Within the general literature on infections and suicidal behavior, studies on Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) occupy a central position. This is related to the parasite's neurotropism, high prevalence of chronic infection, as well as specific and non-specific behavioral alterations in rodents that lead to increased risk taking, which are recapitulated in humans by T. gondii's associations with suicidal behavior, as well as trait impulsivity and aggression, mental illness and traffic accidents. This paper is a detailed review of the associations between T. gondii serology and suicidal behavior, a field of study that started 15 years ago with our publication of associations between T. gondii IgG serology and suicidal behavior in persons with mood disorders. This "legacy" article presents, chronologically, our primary studies in individuals with mood disorders and schizophrenia in Germany, recent attempters in Sweden, and in a large cohort of mothers in Denmark. Then, it reviews findings from all three meta-analyses published to date, confirming our reported associations and overall consistent in effect size [ranging between 39 and 57% elevation of odds of suicide attempt in T. gondii immunoglobulin (IgG) positives]. Finally, the article introduces certain links between T. gondii and biomarkers previously associated with suicidal behavior (kynurenines, phenylalanine/tyrosine), intermediate phenotypes of suicidal behavior (impulsivity, aggression) and state-dependent suicide risk factors (hopelessness/dysphoria, sleep impairment). In sum, an abundance of evidence supports a positive link between suicide attempts (but not suicidal ideation) and T. gondii IgG (but not IgM) seropositivity and serointensity. Trait impulsivity and aggression, endophenotypes of suicidal behavior have also been positively associated with T. gondii seropositivity in both the psychiatrically healthy as well as in patients with Intermittent Explosive Disorder. Yet, causality has not been demonstrated. Thus, randomized interventional studies are necessary to advance causal inferences and, if causality is confirmed, to provide hope that an etiological treatment for a distinct subgroup of individuals at an increased risk for suicide could emerge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teodor T Postolache
- Department of Psychiatry, Mood and Anxiety Program, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States.,Veterans Health Administration, Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC), Military and Veteran Microbiome: Consortium for Research and Education (MVM-CoRE), Aurora, CO, United States.,Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC), Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 5, VA Capitol Health Care Network, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Abhishek Wadhawan
- Department of Psychiatry, Mood and Anxiety Program, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States.,Department of Psychiatry, Saint Elizabeth's Hospital, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Dan Rujescu
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, University of Halle, Halle, Germany
| | - Andrew J Hoisington
- Veterans Health Administration, Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC), Military and Veteran Microbiome: Consortium for Research and Education (MVM-CoRE), Aurora, CO, United States.,Department of Systems Engineering and Management, Air Force Institute of Technology, Dayton, OH, United States.,Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Aline Dagdag
- Department of Psychiatry, Mood and Anxiety Program, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Enrique Baca-Garcia
- Department of Psychiatry, Jimenez Diaz Foundation Hospital, Madrid, Spain.,Department of Psychiatry, Madrid Autonomous University, Madrid, Spain.,Department of Psychiatry, Rey Juan Carlos University Hospital, Móstoles, Spain.,Department of Psychiatry, General Hospital of Villalba, Madrid, Spain.,Department of Psychiatry, Infanta Elena University Hospital, Valdemoro, Spain.,Universidad Catolica del Maule, Talca, Chile.,Department of Psychiatry, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nîmes, Nîmes, France
| | - Christopher A Lowry
- Veterans Health Administration, Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC), Military and Veteran Microbiome: Consortium for Research and Education (MVM-CoRE), Aurora, CO, United States.,Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States.,Department of Integrative Physiology, Center for Neuroscience, Center for Microbial Exploration, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, United States
| | - Olaoluwa O Okusaga
- Department of Psychiatry, Mood and Anxiety Program, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States.,Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States.,Michael E DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Lisa A Brenner
- Veterans Health Administration, Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC), Military and Veteran Microbiome: Consortium for Research and Education (MVM-CoRE), Aurora, CO, United States.,Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States.,Department of Psychiatry & Neurology, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
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Johnson SK, Johnson PTJ. Toxoplasmosis: Recent Advances in Understanding the Link Between Infection and Host Behavior. Annu Rev Anim Biosci 2020; 9:249-264. [PMID: 33138620 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-animal-081720-111125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Humans, wildlife, and domestic animals are intimately linked through shared infections. Many parasites and pathogens use multiple host species, either opportunistically or sequentially, such that managing disease risk frequently requires a broader understanding of the ecological community. The coccidian protozoan Toxoplasma gondii infects more than one hundred species of vertebrates, ranging from bats to beluga whales. In humans, acute toxoplasmosis can have serious health consequences for immunocompromised individuals. Even amongst asymptomatic patients, however, toxoplasmosis has been linked to a range of behavioral alterations and conditions, such as changes in risk tolerance, neuroticism, mental illness, suicide, and accident proneness. Whether such links are causal or simply correlational has been the subject of intense study and debate; from an evolutionary standpoint, selection may favor parasite-induced alterations in host behavior that increase the likelihood a host is consumed by the definitive host-in this case a domestic or wild felid. Here, we examine current evidence for parasite-induced manipulations of host behavior, in both humans and other animals. We critically evaluate proposed mechanisms through which infection might influence host behavior, which range from inflammation in the brain to changes in hormones or neurotransmitters. Considering estimates that T. gondii may infect up to one-third of the global human population, we conclude by examining the implications of these changes for human behavior, individual fitness, and emergent cultural properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie K Johnson
- Leeds School of Business, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado 80309, USA;
| | - Pieter T J Johnson
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado 80309, USA
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Gale SD, Erickson LD, Thacker EL, Mitchell EL, Brown BL, Hedges DW. Toxoplasma gondii seropositivity and serointensity and cognitive function in adults. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020; 14:e0008733. [PMID: 33057346 PMCID: PMC7561134 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2020] [Accepted: 08/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Infecting approximately one-third of the world's human population, Toxoplasma gondii has been associated with cognitive function. Here, we sought to further characterize the association between Toxoplasma gondii and cognitive function in a community sample of adults aged approximately 40 to70 years. Using adjusted linear regression models, we found associations of Toxoplasma gondii seropositivity with worse reasoning (b = -.192, p < .05) and matrix pattern completion (b = -.681, p < .01), of higher anti-Toxoplasma gondii p22 antibody levels with worse reasoning (b = -.078, p < .01) and slower Trails (numeric) performance (b = 5.962, p < .05), of higher anti-Toxoplasma gondii sag1 levels with worse reasoning (b = -.081, p < .05) and worse matrix pattern completion (b = -.217, p < .05), and of higher mean of the anti-Toxoplasma gondii p22 and sag1 levels with worse reasoning (b = -.112, p < .05), slower Trails (numeric) performance (b = 9.195, p < .05), and worse matrix pattern completion (b = -.245, p < .05). Neither age nor educational attainment moderated associations between the measures of Toxoplasma gondii seropositivity or serointensity. Sex, however, moderated the association between the sag1 titer and digit-symbol substitution and the association between the mean of the p22 and sag1 levels and digit-symbol substitution, and income moderated the association between Toxoplasma gondii seropositivity and numeric memory and the association between the p22 level and symbol-digit substitution. Based on the available neuropsychological tasks in this study, Toxoplasma gondii seropositivity and serointensity were associated with some aspects of poorer executive function in adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shawn D. Gale
- Department of Psychology, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah
- The Neuroscience Center, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah
- * E-mail:
| | | | - Evan L. Thacker
- Department of Public Health, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah
| | | | - Bruce L. Brown
- Department of Psychology, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah
| | - Dawson W. Hedges
- Department of Psychology, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah
- The Neuroscience Center, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah
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Pinto-Ferreira F, Nino BDSL, Martins FDC, Monica TC, Britto IC, Signori A, Medici KC, Freire RL, Navarro IT, Garcia JL, Headley SA, Vogel FSF, Minuzzi CE, Portella LP, Bräunig P, Sangioni LA, Ludwig A, Ramos LS, Pacheco L, Silva CR, Pacheco FC, Menegolla IA, Farinha LB, Haas S, Canal N, Mineo JR, Difante CM, Mitsuka-Breganó R. Isolation, genetic and immunohistochemical identification of Toxoplasma gondii from human placenta in a large toxoplasmosis outbreak in southern Brazil, 2018. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2020; 85:104589. [PMID: 33039602 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2020.104589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2020] [Revised: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 10/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The present study aimed to describe a molecular analysis of environmental and pork samples, the isolation, genetic identification and immunohistochemistry (IHC) of Toxoplama gondii from placenta and amniotic fluid from five pregnant women that miscarried during a toxoplasmosis outbreak in 2018, Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul. Environmental and pork samples were submitted to polymerase chain reaction (PCR); placenta and amniotic fluid samples to histopathology, IHC, mouse bioassay and PCR. All samples were genotyped by PCR-RFLP with 11 loci. Histopathologic and IHC were compatibles with toxoplasmosis. All pregnants were positive in PCR and bioassay, the genotypes were compared, and all were equal suggesting a same source of infection. Among the environmental and food samples, a sludge sample from a water tank and two porks samples were positive in PCR, and the genotypes were different from the pregnant women isolates. It is concluded that obtain and compare isolates is essential to elucidate outbreak source.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernanda Pinto-Ferreira
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil.
| | - Beatriz de Souza Lima Nino
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil.
| | | | - Thais Cabral Monica
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Isadora Cortella Britto
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Ariana Signori
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Kerlei Cristina Medici
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil.
| | - Roberta Lemos Freire
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil.
| | - Italmar Teodorico Navarro
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil.
| | - João Luis Garcia
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil.
| | - Selwyn Arlington Headley
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil.
| | | | - Camila E Minuzzi
- Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | | | - Patricia Bräunig
- Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | | | - Aline Ludwig
- Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Luciane Silva Ramos
- Hospital Universitário de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Liliane Pacheco
- Hospital Universitário de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Lourdes Bonfleur Farinha
- Vigilância Epidemiológica 4(a) Regional de Saúde - Secretaria da Saúde, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
| | - Simone Haas
- LACEN/RS - Laboratório Central de Saúde Pública do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
| | - Natalia Canal
- LACEN/RS - Laboratório Central de Saúde Pública do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
| | | | - Cledison Marcio Difante
- Superintendência de Vigilância em Saúde/Secretaria Municipal de Saúde, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Regina Mitsuka-Breganó
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil.
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35
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Wiener RC, Waters C, Bhandari R. The association of Toxoplasma gondii IgG and cognitive function scores: NHANES 2013-2014. Parasitol Int 2020; 78:102123. [PMID: 32416258 PMCID: PMC7879586 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2020.102123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2020] [Revised: 04/09/2020] [Accepted: 04/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) causes chronic, latent infections of global concern. Its subclinical influence on behavior and cognition are poorly understood. The objective of this research is to determine the relationship of T. gondii IgG with cognition using National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data, 2013-2014 in older adults ≥60 years. A composite cognitive function score was created by adding the scores of the memory test, language/verbal fluency, and working memory test. T. gondii IgG was dichotomized at <33 IU/mL (negative) and ≥33 IU/mL (positive). There were 19.2% of the participants who were T. gondii IgG+. The memory function and language/verbal fluency subtests failed to reach significance; however, the difference in the working memory test was significant. In the multivariable ordinal logistic regression analysis, controlling for potential confounders, the odds of cognitive function scores decreasing in quartiles among people with positive vs. negative T. gondii IgG are 1.55 (95% CI: 1.08, 2.21; p = .0170). Establishing an evidence base for the association of T. gondii IgG and cognition is complex, but essential.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Constance Wiener
- West Virginia University, Department of Dental Practice and Rural Health, School of Dentistry, 104a Health Sciences Addition, PO Box 9415, Morgantown, WV 26506, United States of America.
| | - Christopher Waters
- West Virginia University, Department of Dental Research, School of Dentistry, 106a Health Sciences Addition, PO Box 9448, Morgantown, WV 26506, United States of America.
| | - Ruchi Bhandari
- West Virginia University, Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Robert C Byrd Health Sciences Center North, Room G104C, Morgantown, WV 26506, United States of America.
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36
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Mirahmadi H, Hasanzadeh R, Malek Raeesi H, Fallahi S, Khoshsima Shahraki M, Badirzadeh A. Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) Assay to Detect Toxoplasmosis in Schizophrenia Patients. IRANIAN JOURNAL OF PARASITOLOGY 2020; 15:299-306. [PMID: 33082793 PMCID: PMC7548473 DOI: 10.18502/ijpa.v15i3.4193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Background Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) causes an important parasitic infection known as toxoplasmosis, which is a globally distributed important zoonosis. One of the major serious characteristics of T. gondii is its ability to manipulate the behavior of intermediate hosts. We performed a cross-sectional study to determine toxoplasmosis in schizophrenic patients, as one of the major neuropsychiatric disorders, using loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) technic by targeting parasite B1 gene. Methods Blood samples were taken from 118 schizophrenic patients hospitalized in tow hospitals including Baharan, Clinic of Psychiatric Ali-ibn-Abi-Talib Hospital (in Zahedan City), and Amir-al Momenin Psychiatric Hospital (in Zabol City), Sistan and Baluchestan Province, southeast Iran in 2016. They were analyzed using LAMP, and compared with the previous data of nested-PCR and serology. Results Out of the 118 schizophrenic individuals, 56 patients (47.4%) were found to be infected with T. gondii. The diagnosis of toxoplasmosis was confirmed in 41 patients (34.7%) via the nested-PCR. The seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis in schizophrenic patients was 55.9% (66/118). Conclusion We found a high efficiency of LAMP method in identifying toxoplasmosis and its high prevalence among schizophrenic patients. Our findings could provide viable offer implications for the prevention of schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hadi Mirahmadi
- Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Resistant Tubercluosis Institute, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran.,Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran
| | - Raheleh Hasanzadeh
- Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Resistant Tubercluosis Institute, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran.,Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran
| | - Hamid Malek Raeesi
- Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Resistant Tubercluosis Institute, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran
| | - Shirzad Fallahi
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran
| | | | - Alireza Badirzadeh
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Amouei A, Moosazadeh M, Nayeri Chegeni T, Sarvi S, Mizani A, Pourasghar M, Hosseini Teshnizi S, Hosseininejad Z, Dodangeh S, Pagheh A, Pourmand AH, Daryani A. Evolutionary puzzle of Toxoplasma gondii with suicidal ideation and suicide attempts: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis. Transbound Emerg Dis 2020; 67:1847-1860. [PMID: 32198980 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.13550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2019] [Revised: 03/10/2020] [Accepted: 03/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The World Health Organization has reported an annual global suicide rate of 14.5 per 100,000 people. On the other hand, it is estimated that approximately one-third of the global population are infected with Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) parasite. It is widely assumed that microbial pathogens, such as T. gondii, are probably associated with affective and behavioural modulation. The present article aimed to assess the proposed role of toxoplasmosis in raising the risk of suicidal ideation (SI) and suicide attempts (SA) using the available epidemiological data. Seven major electronic databases and the Internet search engine Google were searched for all the studies published between the 1st of January 1950 and 31st of October 2019. The heterogeneity and the risk of bias within and across studies were assessed. Following data extraction, pooled odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence interval (CI) across studies were calculated using the random-effects models. A total number of 9,696 articles were screened and 27 studies were regarded as eligible in our systematic review (SI with five papers and 22 papers on SA). A significant association was detected between antibodies against T. gondii with TA (ORs = 1.57; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.23-2.00, p = .000). Exploration of the association between T. gondii and SA yielded a positive effect of seropositivity for IgG antibodies but not IgM. Despite the limited number of studies, a statistical association was detected between suicidal behaviours and infection with latent T. gondii.
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Affiliation(s)
- Afsaneh Amouei
- Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
- Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Science, Sari, Iran
| | - Mahmood Moosazadeh
- Health Sciences Research Center, Addiction Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Tooran Nayeri Chegeni
- Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
- Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Science, Sari, Iran
- Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Shahabeddin Sarvi
- Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
- Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Science, Sari, Iran
| | - Azadeh Mizani
- Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
- Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Science, Sari, Iran
| | - Mehdi Pourasghar
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Addiction Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | | | - Zahra Hosseininejad
- Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
- Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Science, Sari, Iran
- Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Samira Dodangeh
- Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
- Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Science, Sari, Iran
- Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Abdolsattar Pagheh
- Infectious Diseases Research Center, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran
| | - Amir Hossein Pourmand
- Mazandaran Central Laboratory of Veterinary Organization, Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Ahmad Daryani
- Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
- Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Science, Sari, Iran
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38
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Owusu-Dommey A, Pogreba-Brown K, Villa-Zapata L. Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in the U.S.: Evidence from a representative cross-sectional survey. Parasitol Int 2020; 79:102175. [PMID: 32763362 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2020.102175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2020] [Revised: 06/08/2020] [Accepted: 07/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) evaluates the epidemiology in the U.S. population of certain infectious diseases, including Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii), a protozoan parasite. This study aims to evaluate the seroprevalence of T. gondii -IgG antibodies using NHANES data to identify risk factors related to T. gondii. Using NHANES 2009-10, 2011-12, and 2013-14 cycles, univariate analyses and logistic regression models were conducted to determine the relationship between T. gondii seropositivity and various risk factors. Across the three cycles, 13.3% of participants tested positive for T. gondii-IgG seroprevalence, with a significant decrease in seroprevalence from the earlier to later cycles. 53.4% of individuals with positive serology were male. The probability of testing positive for T. gondii -IgG significantly increases between four and five times from the 18-29 age group to 70-79 age group. Seroprevalence also differed by ethnicity, with Latinos of any race having two times higher odds of testing positive for T. gondii compared to other ethnicities. Other sociodemographic factors were associated with lower odds of T. gondii seropositivity, including college education, higher household income, and health insurance. Most clinical conditions were not significantly associated with T. gondii, excluding depression, which was observed in 25% of patients positive for T. gondii-IgG. Further research on the influence of this parasite on infected individuals, including predispositions for risk-taking, is needed to better understand the relationship between Toxoplasma gondii, depression, and other mental illnesses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ama Owusu-Dommey
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, The University of Arizona, 1295 N Martin Ave, Tucson, AZ 85724, United States of America
| | - Kristen Pogreba-Brown
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, The University of Arizona, 1295 N Martin Ave, Tucson, AZ 85724, United States of America
| | - Lorenzo Villa-Zapata
- Mercer University, College of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacy Practice, United States of America.
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39
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Barton MC, Bennett KV, Cook JR, Gallup GG, Platek SM. Hypothesized behavioral host manipulation by SARS-CoV2/COVID-19 infection. Med Hypotheses 2020; 141:109750. [PMID: 32388138 PMCID: PMC7175891 DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2020.109750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2020] [Accepted: 04/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Although not widely studied, behavioral host manipulation by various pathogens has been documented. Host manipulation is the process by which a pathogen evolves adaptations to manipulate the behavior of the host to maximize reproduction (Ro) of the pathogen. The most notable example is rabies. When a host is infected with the rabies virus it gets into the host's central nervous system and triggers hyper aggression. The virus is also present in the rabid animal's saliva so being bitten transmits the infection to a new host and the old host is left to eventually die if untreated. Toxoplasmosis is another example. When mice are infected they demonstrate a fearlessness toward cats, thus increasing their chances of being eaten. Toxoplasmosis needs the digestive tract of the feline to survive. Recent studies have shown that exposure to toxoplasmosis in humans (e.g., through cat feces) has also been associated with behavioral changes that are predicted to enhance the spread of the pathogen. Even the common influenza virus has been shown to selectively increase in-person sociality during the 48-hour incubation period, thus producing an obvious vector for transmission. Here we hypothesize that the novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV2, which produces the COVID-19 disease may produce similar host manipulations that maximize its transmission between humans.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - John R Cook
- Georgia Gwinnett College, Lawrenceville, GA 30024, USA
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40
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Infection with Toxoplasma gondii increases the risk of psychiatric disorders in Taiwan: a nationwide population-based cohort study. Parasitology 2020; 147:1577-1586. [PMID: 32729456 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182020001183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate associations between toxoplasmosis and psychiatric disorders in Taiwan based on the National Health Insurance Research Database, Taiwan (1997-2013). Patients newly diagnosed with toxoplasmosis formed the case group (n = 259), and the control group included propensity-score matched patients without toxoplasmosis (n = 1036). The primary outcome was incidence of psychiatric disorders. Cox proportional hazards regression and stratified analyses were performed to examine risk of developing specific psychiatric disorders between patients with and without toxoplasmosis. Patients with toxoplasmosis had significantly higher incidence of psychiatric disorders than those without toxoplasmosis (P = 0.016). A significant difference was found in numbers of psychiatric disorders between the two groups during 14 years of follow-up (log-rank P < 0.001). Those with toxoplasmosis had significantly higher risk of bipolar disorder [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR = 3.60, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.07, 7.26), depression (aHR = 4.94, 95% CI = 2.15, 11.80) and anxiety (aHR = 5.36, 95% CI = 2.98, 25.88), but no significant between-group differences were found for schizophrenia and other psychiatric disorders. In conclusion, the present nationwide population-based analysis revealed that Toxoplasma gondii infection in Taiwan significantly increases the risk for developing bipolar disorder, depression and anxiety, but not for schizophrenia and other psychiatric disorders.
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Nasirpour S, Kheirandish F, Fallahi S. Depression and Toxoplasma gondii infection: assess the possible relationship through a seromolecular case-control study. Arch Microbiol 2020; 202:2689-2695. [PMID: 32725599 DOI: 10.1007/s00203-020-01993-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2020] [Revised: 07/12/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Depression disorder is one of the most common psychological recognitions that characterized by sadness, low self-confidence, and disinterest in every activity. Considering evidence showing the effects of toxoplasmosis on the psychological disease, this study conducted to investigate the serological and molecular aspects of Toxoplasma gondii infection among patients with depression. In this study, after selecting the patients with depression and control groups under the supervision of a psychologist, the blood samples were collected and the serum samples and buffy coat were separated. The specific anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibodies in serum samples were evaluated using the commercial ELISA kit. Then the desired region of the Toxoplasma B1 gene was amplified using the specific primers. To confirm the specificity of primers to amplify the B1 gene of Toxoplasma, the extracted PCR product was sequenced. The overall prevalence of toxoplasmosis in patients with depression was 59.8 and 60.19% by ELISA and PCR, respectively. In the control group, the prevalence of Toxoplasma was 56.3 and 40.2% by serology and PCR. There was a significant correlation between the prevalence of toxoplasmosis and depression. Moreover, a significant difference was found between the variables of age, sex, kind of nutrition, level of education and toxoplasmosis among the two cases and control groups. The higher prevalence of Toxoplasma infection among patients with depression compared with the control group indicates the probable impact of this parasite on depression and exacerbates its symptoms, which requires special attention of specialist physicians and patient's relatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saber Nasirpour
- Department of Microbiology, Islamic Azad University, Farahan Branch, Farahan, Iran
| | - Farnaz Kheirandish
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran.
| | - Shirzad Fallahi
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran.
- Hepatitis Research Center, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran.
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Kokkosis AG, Tsirka SE. Neuroimmune Mechanisms and Sex/Gender-Dependent Effects in the Pathophysiology of Mental Disorders. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2020; 375:175-192. [PMID: 32661057 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.120.266163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2020] [Accepted: 07/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Innate and adaptive immune mechanisms have emerged as critical regulators of CNS homeostasis and mental health. A plethora of immunologic factors have been reported to interact with emotion- and behavior-related neuronal circuits, modulating susceptibility and resilience to mental disorders. However, it remains unclear whether immune dysregulation is a cardinal causal factor or an outcome of the pathologies associated with mental disorders. Emerging variations in immune regulatory pathways based on sex differences provide an additional framework for discussion in these psychiatric disorders. In this review, we present the current literature pertaining to the effects that disrupted immune pathways have in mental disorder pathophysiology, including immune dysregulation in CNS and periphery, microglial activation, and disturbances of the blood-brain barrier. In addition, we present the suggested origins of such immune dysregulation and discuss the gender and sex influence of the neuroimmune substrates that contribute to mental disorders. The findings challenge the conventional view of these disorders and open the window to a diverse spectrum of innovative therapeutic targets that focus on the immune-specific pathophenotypes in neuronal circuits and behavior. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: The involvement of gender-dependent inflammatory mechanisms on the development of mental pathologies is gaining momentum. This review addresses these novel factors and presents the accumulating evidence introducing microglia and proinflammatory elements as critical components and potential targets for the treatment of mental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandros G Kokkosis
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York
| | - Stella E Tsirka
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York
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Şahar EA, Can H, İz SG, Döşkaya AD, Kalantari-Dehaghi M, Deveci R, Gürüz AY, Döşkaya M. Development of a hexavalent recombinant protein vaccine adjuvanted with Montanide ISA 50 V and determination of its protective efficacy against acute toxoplasmosis. BMC Infect Dis 2020; 20:493. [PMID: 32650739 PMCID: PMC7348124 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-020-05220-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2019] [Accepted: 07/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular parasite that can infect almost all warm-blooded animals, avian species and humans. Toxoplasmosis is asymptomatic in healthy individuals, whereas it may lead to death in immune suppressed or deficient patients. A vaccine against T. gondii is required to prevent consequences of the infection. The aim of this study is to generate a multivalent recombinant protein vaccine against T. gondii. Methods 49 previously discovered antigenic proteins of T gondii were evaluated by their expression level in E. coli and by comprehensive bioinformatics analyses to determine antigenic epitopes. Based on these analyses, six vaccine candidate proteins were selected to generate a hexavalent recombinant protein vaccine adjuvanted with Montanide ISA 50 V. Humoral and cellular immune responses were determined by flow cytometry and ELISA. Vaccinated mice were challenged with T. gondii Ankara strain tachyzoites. Results In mice vaccinated with hexavalent vaccine, strong total IgG (P < 0.0001) and IgG2a (P < 0.001) responses were induced compared to controls, the ratio of CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes secreting IFN-γ increased, and significantly higher extracellular IFN-γ secretion was achieved compared to the controls (P < 0.001). The survival time of the vaccinated mice increased to 8.38 ± 2.13 days which was significantly higher than controls (P < 0.01). Conclusions Altogether, these results show that the hexavalent vaccine which is developed for the first time against T. gondii induced strong and balanced Th1 and Th2 immune responses as well as conferred significant protection against challenge with lethal toxoplasmosis in murine model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esra Atalay Şahar
- Present address: Department of Parasitology, Vaccine Research and Development Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, Bornova, 35100, İzmir, Turkey.,Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, Ege University, İzmir, 35100, Bornova, Turkey.,Department of Biotechnology, Ege University Faculty of Science, Bornova, 35100, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Hüseyin Can
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, Ege University, İzmir, 35100, Bornova, Turkey
| | - Sultan Gülçe İz
- Department of Bioengineering, Ege University Faculty of Engineering, Bornova, 35100, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Aysu Değirmenci Döşkaya
- Present address: Department of Parasitology, Vaccine Research and Development Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, Bornova, 35100, İzmir, Turkey
| | | | - Remziye Deveci
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, Ege University, İzmir, 35100, Bornova, Turkey
| | - Adnan Yüksel Gürüz
- Present address: Department of Parasitology, Vaccine Research and Development Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, Bornova, 35100, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Mert Döşkaya
- Present address: Department of Parasitology, Vaccine Research and Development Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, Bornova, 35100, İzmir, Turkey.
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Association of T. gondii infection with suicide: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Public Health 2020; 20:766. [PMID: 32448258 PMCID: PMC7245947 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-020-08898-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2019] [Accepted: 05/11/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Findings on the association between Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) infection and suicide are contradictory. This paper aimed to resolve this uncertainty by conducting a meta-analysis. METHODS We found the relevant studies using keywords include "Toxoplasmosis" and "Suicide" and the related synonyms in international databases such as ISI, Medline, and Scopus. The eligible studies were included in the meta-analysis phase. The random effect approach was applied to combine the results. RESULTS Out Of 150 initial studies, 15 were included in the meta-analysis. Odds of suicide in people with T. gondii infection was 43% (OR: 1.43, 95%CI; 1.15 to 1.78) higher than those without this infection. The test for publication bias was not statistically significant, which indicates the absence of likely publication bias. CONCLUSION This study confirms that T. gondii infection is a potential risk factor for suicide. To reduce cases of suicide attributable to T. gondii infection, it is recommended to implement some measures to prevent and control the transmission of the disease.
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Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a ubiquitous, intracellular protozoan parasite with a broad range of intermediate hosts, including humans and rodents. In many hosts, T. gondii establishes a latent long-term infection by converting from its rapidly dividing or lytic form to its slowly replicating and encysting form. In humans and rodents, the major organ for encystment is the central nervous system (CNS), which has led many to investigate how this persistent CNS infection might influence rodent and human behavior and, more recently, neurodegenerative diseases. Toxoplasma gondii is a ubiquitous, intracellular protozoan parasite with a broad range of intermediate hosts, including humans and rodents. In many hosts, T. gondii establishes a latent long-term infection by converting from its rapidly dividing or lytic form to its slowly replicating and encysting form. In humans and rodents, the major organ for encystment is the central nervous system (CNS), which has led many to investigate how this persistent CNS infection might influence rodent and human behavior and, more recently, neurodegenerative diseases. Given the interest in this topic, here we seek to take a global approach to the data for and against the effects of latent T. gondii on behavior and neurodegeneration and the proposed mechanisms that might underlie behavior modifications.
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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.
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Boillat M, Hammoudi PM, Dogga SK, Pagès S, Goubran M, Rodriguez I, Soldati-Favre D. Neuroinflammation-Associated Aspecific Manipulation of Mouse Predator Fear by Toxoplasma gondii. Cell Rep 2020; 30:320-334.e6. [PMID: 31940479 PMCID: PMC6963786 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2019.12.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2019] [Revised: 10/27/2019] [Accepted: 12/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In rodents, the decrease of felid aversion induced by Toxoplasma gondii, a phenomenon termed fatal attraction, is interpreted as an adaptive manipulation by the neurotropic protozoan parasite. With the aim of understanding how the parasite induces such specific behavioral modifications, we performed a multiparametric analysis of T. gondii-induced changes on host behavior, physiology, and brain transcriptome as well as parasite cyst load and distribution. Using a set of complementary behavioral tests, we provide strong evidence that T. gondii lowers general anxiety in infected mice, increases explorative behaviors, and surprisingly alters predator aversion without selectivity toward felids. Furthermore, we show a positive correlation between the severity of the behavioral alterations and the cyst load, which indirectly reflects the level of inflammation during brain colonization. Taken together, these findings refute the myth of a selective loss of cat fear in T. gondii-infected mice and point toward widespread immune-related alterations of behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madlaina Boillat
- Department of Genetics and Evolution, Faculty of Sciences, University of Geneva, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Pierre-Mehdi Hammoudi
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine-University of Geneva CMU, 1 rue Michel-Servet 1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland
| | - Sunil Kumar Dogga
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine-University of Geneva CMU, 1 rue Michel-Servet 1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland
| | - Stéphane Pagès
- Wyss Center for Bio- and Neuroengineering, Geneva, Switzerland; Department of Basic Neurosciences, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Maged Goubran
- Hurvitz Brain Sciences Program, Sunnybrook Research Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Ivan Rodriguez
- Department of Genetics and Evolution, Faculty of Sciences, University of Geneva, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland.
| | - Dominique Soldati-Favre
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine-University of Geneva CMU, 1 rue Michel-Servet 1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland.
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Lindgren M, Holm M, Markkula N, Härkänen T, Dickerson F, Yolken RH, Suvisaari J. Exposure to common infections and risk of suicide and self-harm: a longitudinal general population study. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2020; 270:829-839. [PMID: 32219505 PMCID: PMC7474710 DOI: 10.1007/s00406-020-01120-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2019] [Accepted: 03/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Common infectious agents, such as Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) and several human herpes viruses, have been linked to increased risk of self-harm. The aim of this study was to investigate the associations between self-harm and seropositivity to T. gondii, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), Herpes Simplex virus Type 1 (HSV-1), and Cytomegalovirus (CMV). IgM and IgG antibodies to these infections were measured in the Health 2000 project nationally representative of the whole Finnish adult population, and 6250 participants, age 30 and over, were followed for 15 years via registers. In addition, lifetime suicidal ideation and suicide attempts based on medical records and interview were assessed within a subsample of 694 participants screened to a substudy for possible psychotic symptoms or as controls. Among the 6250 participants, 14 individuals died of suicide and an additional 4 individuals had a diagnosis of intentional self-harm during follow-up. Serological evidence of lifetime or acute infections was not found to be associated with these suicidal outcomes. However, in the subsample, those seropositive for CMV had fewer suicide attempts compared to those seronegative, adjusting for gender, age, educational level, childhood family size, regional residence, CRP, and screen status (OR for multiple attempts = 0.40, 95% confidence interval 0.20‒0.83, p = 0.014). To conclude, common infections were not associated with risk of death by suicide or with self-harm diagnoses at a 15-year follow-up in the general population sample. Our finding of an increased number of suicide attempts among persons seronegative for CMV calls for further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maija Lindgren
- Mental Health Unit, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), PO Box 30, 00271, Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Minna Holm
- Mental Health Unit, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), PO Box 30, 00271, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Niina Markkula
- Department of Psychiatry, Helsinki University and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Tommi Härkänen
- Health Monitoring Unit, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), Helsinki, Finland
| | - Faith Dickerson
- Sheppard Pratt Health System, Stanley Research Program, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Robert H Yolken
- Stanley Division of Developmental Neurovirology, Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jaana Suvisaari
- Mental Health Unit, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), PO Box 30, 00271, Helsinki, Finland
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Shih RY, Koeller KK. Central Nervous System Lesions in Immunocompromised Patients. Radiol Clin North Am 2019; 57:1217-1231. [DOI: 10.1016/j.rcl.2019.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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Macre MDS, Meireles LR, Sampaio BFC, Andrade Júnior HFD. Saliva collection and detection of anti- T. gondii antibodies of low-income school-age children as a learning strategy on hygiene, prevention and transmission of toxoplasmosis. Rev Inst Med Trop Sao Paulo 2019; 61:e48. [PMID: 31531626 PMCID: PMC6746193 DOI: 10.1590/s1678-9946201961048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2019] [Accepted: 08/14/2019] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
School-age children are a social group in which blood collection for laboratory testing can be perceived as an invasive procedure, with low acceptance and tolerance of stakeholders. This problem could be circumvented by replacing serum samples with saliva. For this purpose, and to make the collection of saliva samples playful and instructive for children, educational activities on hygiene and toxoplasmosis transmission and prevention were performed using toys and audiovisual tools. The target audience consisted of 7-10 year-old children from low-income families who attended public schools in the city of São Paulo. Saliva samples were used in a previously described in-house Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assays (ELISA) to detect anti- Toxoplasma gondii IgG antibodies and establish the immunological status of each of the participants. One year later, children’s memory and fixation of concepts regarding hygiene habits, as well as transmission and prevention of toxoplasmosis were tested in the same schools, by means of a questionnaire application, using students who did not participate in the first intervention as controls. The prevalence of positive anti- T. gondii IgG among students was 50% (82/164). One year later, 45 children had more knowledge on toxoplasmosis (28/45 vs 29/147) and they drew the cat’s involvement in the transmission of toxoplasmosis more often than controls (28/45 vs 29/147). Sorted according to the presence of specific IgG in saliva, recovered positive students presented worse memory of the above cited knowledge as did saliva-negative IgG students, but both groups had isolated higher frequency of fixed knowledge than non-intervened students. Our data show that there is a high prevalence of T. gondii infection in school-children from low-income areas; saliva is an alternative to blood for anti- T. gondii IgG detection; and a one-day educational intervention in school-children was effective in promoting knowledge fixation on hygiene and toxoplasmosis transmission and prevention after one year.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam de Souza Macre
- Universidade de São Paulo, Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo, Laboratório de Protozoologia, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Luciana Regina Meireles
- Universidade de São Paulo, Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo, Laboratório de Protozoologia, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Barbara Fialho Carvalho Sampaio
- Universidade de São Paulo, Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo, Laboratório de Protozoologia, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Heitor Franco de Andrade Júnior
- Universidade de São Paulo, Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo, Laboratório de Protozoologia, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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