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Toxoplasma gondii & Human Phenotype

Compendium of Known Effects and Ongoing Research

immunoglobulin-g

Evidence of increased exposure to Toxoplasma gondii in individuals with recent onset psychosis but not with established schizophrenia

May 4, 2017
Yolken, R., Torrey, E.F., Dickerson, F.
PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases 2017; 10.1371/journal.pntd.0006040
Click for abstract
AB A possible role for Toxoplasma gondii in the etiopathogenesis of schizophrenia is supported by epidemiological studies and animal models of infection. However, recent studies attempting to link Toxoplasma to schizophrenia have yielded mixed results. We performed a nested case-control study measured serological evidence of exposure to Toxoplasma gondii in a cohort of 2052 individuals. Within this cohort, a total of 1481 individuals had a psychiatric disorder and 571 of were controls without a psychiatric disorder. We found an increased odds of Toxoplasma exposure in individuals with a recent onset of psychosis (OR 2.44, 95% Confidence Interval 1.4-4.4, p < .003). On the other hand, an increased odds of Toxoplasma exposure was not found in individuals with schizophrenia or other psychiatric disorder who did not have a recent onset of psychosis. By identifying the timing of evaluation as a variable, these findings resolve discrepancies in previous studies and suggest a temporal relationship between Toxoplasma exposure and disease onset.

Tagged: antibodies, association, bipolar disorder, drugs, immunoglobulin-g, infections, metaanalysis, sample

Mental health

Toxoplasma gondii and anxiety disorders in a community-based sample

October 29, 2015
Markovitz, A. A., Simanek, A. M., Yolken, R. H., Galea, S., Koenen, K. C., Chen, S.,Aiello, A. E.
Brain,Behavior, and Immunity 2015; 43: 192-197
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A growing body of literature suggests that exposure to the neurotropic parasite Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is associated with increased risk of mental disorders, particularly schizophrenia. However, a potential association between T. gondii exposure and anxiety disorders has not been rigorously explored. Here, we examine the association of T. gondii infection with both anxiety and mood disorders. Participants (n=484) were drawn from the Detroit Neighborhood Health Study, a population-representative sample of Detroit residents. Logistic regression was used to examine the associations between T. gondii exposure (defined by seropositivity and IgG antibody levels) and three mental disorders: generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression. We found that T. gondii seropositivity was associated with a 2 times greater odds of GAD (odds ratio (OR), 2.25; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.11-4.53) after adjusting for age, gender, race, income, marital status, and medication. Individuals in the highest antibody level category had more than 3 times higher odds of GAD (OR, 3.35; 95% CI, 1.41-7.97). Neither T. gondii seropositivity nor IgG antibody levels was significantly associated with PTSD or depression. Our findings indicate that T. gondii infection is strongly and significantly associated with GAD. While prospective confirmation is needed, T. gondii infection may play a role in the development of GAD.

Tagged: adult, aged, Anxiety Disorders/*etiology/immunology, Depressive Disorder/*etiology/immunology, female, humans, immunoglobulin-g, male, middle aged, prospective studies, Toxoplasma, toxoplasmosis/*complications/immunology

Mental health

Topics

  • Behavior 105
  • Cognitive functions 64
  • Mental health 439
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Recent articles

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