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Toxoplasma gondii & Human Phenotype

Compendium of Known Effects and Ongoing Research

Cattell 16PF

Higher extraversion and lower conscientiousness in humans infected with Toxoplasma

September 26, 2012 Leave a Comment
Lindová, J., Příplatová, L., Flegr, J.
European Journal of Personality 2012; 26: 285–291
Click for abstract
oxoplasmosis is associated with speci fi c differences in the personality of infected subjects relative to non-infected subjects. These differences are usually cons idered to be a side effect of the manipulative activity of the parasite aimed to increase the probability of its transmission from the intermediate host to the de fi nitive host by predation. The personality of infected s ubjects was studied mostly using the Cattell ’ s questionnaire. However, this questionnaire is now considered outdated and has been mostly substituted with the Neuroticism – Extraversion – Openness Personality Inventory — Revised (NEO-PI-R) questionnaire in clinical practice. Here, we searched for the as- sociation between toxoplasmosis and the personality by screening a population of students with the NEO-PI-R question- naire. We found that Toxoplasma-infected male and female students had signi fi cantly higher extraversion and lower conscientiousness. The conscientiousness negatively correlated with the length of infection in men, which suggested that the toxoplasmosis associated differences were more probably the result of slow cumulative changes induced by latent toxoplasmosis, rather than transient side effect of acute Toxoplasma infection. The existence of this correlation also sup- ported (but of course not proved) the hypothesis that Toxoplasma infection in fl uenced the personality, rather than the hypothesis that the personality in fl uenced the probability of the infection.

Tagged: Big Five, Cattell 16PF, manipulation hypothesis, Parasite, Toxoplasma

Personality

The influence of RhD phenotype on toxoplasmosis- and age-associated changes in personality profile of blood donors

September 26, 2010 Leave a Comment
Flegr, J., Novotná, M., Fialová, A., Kolbeková, P., Gasová, Z.
Folia Parasitologica 2010; 57: 57: 143-150
Click for abstract
Toxoplasma gondii , a parasite infecting 20–60% of humans in various countries, influences the behaviour of infected animal and human hosts. Infected human subjects have changes in several of Cattell’s and Cloninger’s personality factors. Recently, three independent studies have shown that Rh-positive subjects are protected against the T. gondii -induced changes of reaction times and increased risk of traffic accidents. Here we searched for evidence of similar effects of RhD phenotype on toxoplasmosis- or aging-associated changes in the personality profile of about 302 blood donors. We found that Rh-positive and Rh-negative subjects responded differently to toxoplasmosis. In addition to the already known effects of toxoplasmosis on novelty seeking, self transcend - ence, superego strength and protension, we also found effects of RhD phenotype on ego strength, protension, and praxernia, as well as opposite effects of toxoplasmosis on ego strength, praxernia, ergic tension and cooperativeness in Rh-positive and Rh-negative subjects. Moreover, our results indicate that RhD phenotype might influence not only the effect of toxoplasmosis but also the effect of aging on specific personality traits.

Tagged: aging, blood group, Cattell 16PF, Cloninger TCI, manipulation., Parasite, personality, Rh factor, Rhesus factor, senescence

Personality

Differences in personality profiles of Toxoplasma gondii infected and uninfected biologist

September 26, 1999 31 Comments
Flegr, J., Hrdá, Š, Havlíček, J.
Remedia-Klinická mikrobiologie 1999, 3: 268-273
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.

Tagged: behavior, behaviour, Cattell 16 PF, Cattell 16PF, latent toxoplasmosis, manipulation hypothesis, personality profile, Toxoplasma gondii

Personality

Topics

  • Behavior 105
  • Cognitive functions 64
  • Mental health 439
  • Morphology 6
  • Motor functions 10
  • Personality 36
  • Physical health 134
  • Reproduction 36
  • Reviews 40
  • Sensory functions 3
  • Uncategorized 2

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Recent articles

  • Mortality Patterns of Toxoplasmosis and Its Comorbidities in Tanzania: A 10-Year Retrospective Hospital-Based Survey February 6, 2020
  • The role of latent toxoplasmosis in the aetiopathogenesis of schizophrenia–the risk factor or an indication of a contact with cat? February 6, 2020
  • The Association between Toxoplasma gondii Infection and Risk of Parkinson’s Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis February 6, 2020

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