Toxoplasma gondii infection and neuropsychiatric disease: current insight

Abstract

Toxoplasma gondii has always been associated with severe medical disease when acquired congenitally or under immunocompromised conditions. However, in the last decade, intensive research has shed light on Toxoplasma gondii as a latent chronic infection producing distinct neuropsychiatric symptoms and alterations in its intermediate hosts, such as humans and rodents. The peculiarities described range from the well-established attenuated odor aversion paradigm toward cat urine, in infected rodents to significant associations with psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, to cognitive impairments, and increased traffic accidents. In relation to what has already been investigated to date, how could we explain such effects on the basis of what we know about the complex interplay of this intracellular permanent parasite and its host? This review systematically screens the recent literature, presents results from a physician's point of view, and discusses possible mechanisms and further research lines.

Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Patients with Psychiatric Disorders from Western Romania

“…It has been recently suggested that chronic infection with T. gondii in the brain correlates with changes in neuronal architecture, neurochemistry, and behaviour [7]. Several studies documented the connection between infection with T. gondii and certain mental health disorders such as schizophrenia [8], bipolar disease [9], suicide attempts [10], personality disorders [11] and episodes of self-directed violence [12].…”

Global MicroRNAs Expression Profile Analysis Reveals Possible Regulatory Mechanisms of Brain Injury Induced by Toxoplasma gondii Infection

“…For example, gastrointestinal inflammation has been associated with schizophrenia (Severance et al, 2012(Severance et al, , 2016. The gut mucosal immune system has a crucial role in the systemic dissemination of T. gondii (Hinze-Selch, 2015). In the KEGG enrichment, two gut mucosal immune-related pathways [inflammatory bowel disease (ssc05321) and intestinal immune network for IgA production (ssc04672)] were shared among the infected brains at 10, 25, and 50 DPI.…”

Zoonotic tissue parasites of Australian wildlife

“…Transmission from domestic animals to humans and wildlife Although the mechanisms are unknown a growing body of data indicates that they are complex, comprising humoral, immune, neurotransmitter, epigenetic, genetic, and structural effects 19 .…”