Differences in personality profiles of Toxoplasma gondii infected and uninfected biologist
Click for abstract
Parasitic protozoan Toxoplasma gondii induces specific changes the behavior of its intermediate hosts. Human latent toxoplasmosis (presence of anti-Toxoplasma immunity in subjects without any clinical symptoms of acute toxoplasmosis) is known to be associated with specific changes of personality profiles of infected subjects. I the present work we studied the toxoplasmosis-associated differences in personality profiles (monitored by Cattell's 16PF questionnaire) in a population of 443 university students and teachers of biology. Our results show that the factors A, G, L, N and Q3 were shifted in the opposite direction in men and women; the factor O was shifted in the same direction, however, the intensity of the shift in women was relatively low. The men with latent toxoplasmosis had lower factor G (had higher tendency to disregard rules) p=0.049, higher factor L (were more suspecting, jealous, dogmatic) p=0.015, and higher factor O (were more apprehensive, self-reproaching, insecure) p=0.046. The Toxoplasma-infected women had higher factor A (warm-hearted, outgoing, easygoing) p=0.001. Several personality factors were shifted (both in men and women) from extreme values toward the middle of the psychological scales. Therefore, the Toxoplasma-infected subjects expressed less extreme personality attitudes in factors F, M, Q1 and Q4.