Behavior – Toxoplasma gondii & Human Phenotype

Mortality Patterns of Toxoplasmosis and Its Comorbidities in Tanzania: A 10-Year Retrospective Hospital-Based Survey

February 6, 2020
Mboera, L. E. G., Kishamawe, C., Kimario, E., Rumisha, S. F.
Frontiers in Public Health 2019, 7

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The Association between Toxoplasma gondii Infection and Risk of Parkinson’s Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

February 6, 2020
Zhou, Z. L.,Zhou, R. Z., Li, K. P., Wei, W., Zhang, Z. Q., Zhu, Y., Luan, R. S.
Biomed Research International 2019

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Toxoplasma gondii – obsessive -compulsive disorder relationship: is it different in children?

February 6, 2020
Miman, O., Ozcan, O., Unal, S., Atambay, M.
Nordic Journal of Psychiatry 2019, 72: 501 - 505

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The association between Toxoplasma gondii infection and postpartum blues

February 4, 2020
Gao, J. M., He, Z. H., Xie, Y. T., Hide, G., Lai, D. H., Lun, Z. R.
Journal of Affective Disorder 2019, 250: 404 - 409 schizophrenia prevalence

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Toxoplasma gondii IgG associations with sleep-wake problems, sleep duration and timing

February 1, 2020
Corona, C. C. ,Zhang, M. Wadhawan, A., Daue, M. L., Groer, M. W., Dagdag, A., Lowry, C. A., Hoisington, A. J., Ryan, K. A., Stiller, J. W., Fuchs, D., Mitchell, B. D., Postolache, T. T.
Pteridines 2019, 30: 1 - 9

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Presence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in brain as a potential cause of risky behavior: a report of 102 autopsy cases

February 1, 2020
Samojlowicz, D. Twarowska-Malczynska, J. Borowska-Solonynko, A. Poniatowski, L. A. Sharma, N. Olczak, M.
European Journal of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases 2019, 38: 305 - 317 Toxoplasma gondii Toxoplasmosis Brain Risky behavior Alcohol Mental health Drivers cerebral toxoplasmosis decreased level novelty seeking dopamine parasite host schizophrenia personality depression strategies

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Toxoplasma gondii – obsessive -compulsive disorder relationship: is it different in children?

February 1, 2020
Miman, O., Ozcan, O., Unal, S., Atambay, M.
Nordic Journal of Psychiatry 2019, 72: 501 - 505

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Can offspring sex ratios help to explain the endocrine effects of toxoplasmosis infection on human behaviour?

February 1, 2020
James, W. H., Grech, V.
Early Human Development 2018, 122: 42 - 44

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The relationship between Toxoplasma gondii IgG antibodies and generalized anxiety disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder in children and adolescents: a new approach

February 1, 2020
Akaltun, I., Kara, S. S., Kara, T.,
Nordic Journal of Psychiatry 2019, 72: 57 - 62

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Large-scale study of Toxoplasma and Cytomegalovirus shows an association between infection and serious psychiatric disorders

January 31, 2020
Burgdorf, K. S., Trabjerg, B. B., Pedersen, M. G., Nissen, J., Banasik, K., Pedersen, O. B., Sorensen, E., Nielsen, K. R., Larsen, M. H., Erikstrup, C., Bruun-Rasmussen, P., Westergaard, D., Thorner, L. W., Hjalgrim, H., Paarup, H. M., Brunak, S., Pedersen, C. B., Torrey, E. F., Werge, T., Mortensen, P. B., Yolken, R. H., Ullum, H.
Brain Behavior and Immunity 2019, 79: 152 - 158

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Driving us mad: the association of Toxoplasma gondii with suicide attempts and traffic accidents – a systematic review and meta-analysis

January 31, 2020
Sutterland, A. L., Kuin, A., Kuiper, B., van Gool, T., Leboyer, M., Fond, G., de Haan, L.
Psychological Medicine 2019, 49: 1608 - 1623

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Relationship between Toxoplasma gondii seropositivity and depression in children and adolescents

January 31, 2020
Sapmaz, S. Y., Sen, S., Ozkan, Y., Kandemir, H.
Psychiatry Research 2019, 278: 263 - 267

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The relation between serum Toxoplasma gondii IgG antibody in children and ADHD and its severity

January 30, 2020
Akaltun, I., Kara, T., Ayaydin, H., Alyanak, B., Beka, H., Agacfidan, A.
Psychiatry and Clinical Psychopharmacology 2019, 29: 326 - 331

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The effects of latent Toxoplasma gondii infection on the behavior and personality characteristics of university students

January 30, 2020
Akgul, O
Anadolu Psikiyatri Dergisi-Anatolian Journal of Psychiatry 2020, 21: 70 - 76

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Objective: It is well known that one-third of the world population is infected with toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii), and the seroprevalence varies according to socioeconomic status and hygienic habits. Nowadays, it's thought that T. gondii which is related asymptomatic latent infections in brain and muscle tissue may be related with neuropsychiatric conditions. Methods: T. gondii lgG levels of serum samples obtained from 150 volunteer university students who participated in the study according to inclusion criteria were determined according to the manufacturer's recommendations by ELISA (Enzyme-Linked lmmunosorbent Assay) method. Criminal profiles (accident claims, criminal conviction), impulsive behaviors (non-suicidal self-injury, attempted suicide) and personality traits (extra-version, agreeableness, conscientiousness, neuroticism and openness to experience) of the participants were recorded by appropriate scales and/or clinical interviews. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between T. gondii seropositivity and impulsive behaviors such as suicide attempt and physical injury, criminal events such as crime and traffic accidents and 5 factor personality types in psychiatric healthy individuals. Results: Sixty-nine (46%) of participants were male and 81 were female (54%), ages ranged from 20 to 37 (25.71 +/- 3.08) and the rate of seropositivity was determined as 30.66%. The relationship between seropositivity and accident claims was not statistically significant; the criminal conviction, non-suicidal self-injury and attempted suicide were statistically correlated. There was no statistically difference in terms of the features of extraversion or openness to experience between seronegative and seropositive groups. However, the T. gondii lgG were statistically highly correlated with lower agreeableness, lower conscientiousness and higher neuroticism scores. Conclusion: The data obtained from our study which is the first study conducted with this context in our country, confirms that latent T. gondii may be associated with negative behavioral outcomes. In order to fully understand the possible effects of T. gondii in psychiatric disorders, prospective-based studies are needed.

Latent Toxoplasmosis and Human

January 29, 2020
Dalimi, A., Abdoli, A.
Iranian Journal of Parasitology 2012, 7: 1 - 17

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Economic holobiont: Influence of parasites, microbiota and chemosignals on economic behavior

September 3, 2018
Houdek, P.
Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience 2018; 12

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Lower performance of Toxoplasma-infected, Rh-negative subjects in the weight holding and hand-grip tests

September 3, 2018
Flegr, J., Sebankova, B., Priplatova, L., Chvatalova, V., Kankova, S.
PLoS ONE 2018; 13

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Risky business: linking Toxoplasma gondii infection and entrepreneurship behaviours across individuals and countries

August 31, 2018
Johnson, S. K., Fitza, M. A. , Lerner, D. A., Calhoun, D. M., Beldon, M. A. , Chan, E. T., Johnson, P. T. J.
Proceedings of the Royal Society B-Biological Sciences, 2018; 285

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The association between suicide attempts and Toxoplasma gondii infection

May 3, 2018
Bak, J. Shim, S.H., Kwon, Y.J., Lee, H.Y., Kim, J.S., Yoon, H., Lee, Y.J.
Clinical Psychopharmacology Neuroscience 2018; 16: 95-102

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Clinical and serological predictors of suicide in schizophrenia and major mood disorders

May 3, 2018
Dickerson, F., Origoni, A., Schweinfurth, L.A.B., Stallings, C., Savage, C.L.G., Sweeney, K., Katsafanas, E., Wilcox, H.C., Khushalani, S., Yolken, R.
Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease 2018; 206: 173-178

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Toxoplasma gondii infection and behavioral outcomes in humans: a systematic review

February 12, 2018
Martinez, V. O. , Lima, F. W. D., . de Carvalho, C. F, Menezes, J. A.
Parasitology Research 2018; 117: 3059-3065

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Chronic Toxoplasma gondii infection induces anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor autoantibodies and associated behavioral changes and neuropathology

February 12, 2018
Li, Y, Viscidi, R. P., Kannan, G., McFarland,R., Pletnikov, M. V., Severance,E. G., Yolken, R. H., Xiao, J. C.
Infection and Immunity 2018; 86: DOI: 10.1128/iai.00398-18

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The missing link in parasite manipulation of host behaviour

February 12, 2018
Herbison, R. , Lagrue, C. , Poulin, R.
Parasites Vectors 2018; 10.1186/s13071-018-2805-9

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The potential risk of toxoplasmosis for traffic accidents: A systematic review and meta-analysis

February 12, 2018
Gohardehi, S. , Sharif, M. , Sarvi, S., Moosazadeh, M., Alizadeh-Navaei,R., Hosseini,S. A., Amouei,A. , Pagheh, A. , Sadeghi , M., Daryani, A.
Experimental Parasitology 2018; 191: 19-24

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Toxoplasma gondii seropositivity and substance use in US adults

February 12, 2018
Berrett, A. N., Gale, S. D., Erickson,L. D., Thacker, E. L., Brown, B. L., Hedges, D. W.
Folia Parasitologica 2018; 65: 011

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Neurophysiological changes induced by chronic Toxoplasma gondii infection

December 8, 2017
Tedford, E., McConkey, G.
Pathogens 2017; 6: Artn 19 10.3390/Pathogens6020019

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Humans with latent toxoplasmosis display altered reward modulation of cognitive control

December 8, 2017
Stock, A. K., Dajkic, D., Kohling, H. L., von Heinegg, E. H., Fiedler, M., Beste, C.
Scientific Reports 2017;7: 10.1038/s41598-017-10926-6

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Toxoplasmosis, the insidious parasitic infection: dangers of asymptomatic carrier state

December 8, 2017
Bognar, L., Izso, T., Szakos, D., Kasza, G.
Magyar Allatorvosok Lapja 2017;139:479-487

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Background: The highly prevalent parasitic infection of humans, toxoplasmosis, can have serious consequences even during an asymptomatic course of the disease. The causative agente of infection is Toxoplasma gondii, which proliferates in the intestine of cats. Risk of infection by direct contact with cats is low, but the infection can occur due to contaminated soil, water, unwashed vegetables and fruits, as well as insufficiently heat-treated meat. Objectives: The aim of this study was to synthesize the current knowledge about infection caused by Toxoplasma gondii in a brief review focusing on latent toxoplasmosis in humans. Materials and Methods: More than hundred articles, studies and reports from scientific journals were considered to summarize the infection's characteristics such as prevalence and symptoms in humans. Results and Discussion: The symptoms of acute toxoplasmosis are either featureless, or non-existent, although, for people with immunosuppression it can be fatal, and for expectants it can result in foetal harm. The detection of the infection is conducted with serology methods, however, only in a few European countries are general screenings present. The asymptomatic carrier state is dangerous as well, because the cysts subsist in the brain of the host, which affects behaviour, the regulation of emotions, and also the level of several hormones. The latent toxoplasmosis can be connected to aggression, anxiety, schizophrenia, bipolar personality disorder, suicidal inclination, depression, and the reduction in intelligence quotient. For the reason of the deterioration of reaction time, the disease increases the risk of traffic accidents. The latent toxoplasmosis also influences personality traits; for women and men the alteration of the personality change differs. There is no data on the current epidemiological situation in Hungary, and not even in Europe. A research regarding the extent of asymptomatic carrier state and about the psychological changes in the Hungarian population has not been conducted so far.

Significance of chronic toxoplasmosis in epidemiology of road traffic accidents in Russian Federation

December 8, 2017
Stepanova, E. V., Kondrashin, A. V., Sergiev, V. P., Morozova, L. F., Turbabina, N. A., Maksimova, M. S., Brazhnikov, A. I., Shevchenko, S. B., Morozov, E. N.
PLoS ONE 2017;12: 10.1371/journal.pone.0184930

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Toxoplasma-induced changes in host risk behaviour are independent of parasite-derived AaaH2 tyrosine hydroxylase

December 6, 2017
Afonso, C., Paixao, V. B., Klaus, A., Lunghi, M., Piro, F., Emiliani, C., di Cristina, M., Costa, R. M.
Scientific Reports 2017; 7

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New, previously unreported correlations between latent Toxoplasma gondii infection and excessive ethanol consumption

December 6, 2017
Samojlowicz, D., Borowska-Solonynko, A., Kruczyk, M.
Forensic Science International 2017; 280: 49-54

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A number of world literature reports indicate that a latent Toxoplasma gondii infection leads to development of central nervous system disorders, which in turn may lead to altered behavior in the affected individuals. T. gondii infection has been observed to play the greatest role in drivers, suicides, and psychiatric patients. Studies conducted for this manuscript involve a different, never before really reported correlation between latent T. gondii infection and ethanol abuse. A total of 538 decedents with a known cause of death were included in the study. These individuals were divided into three groups: the risky behavior group, inconclusively risky behavior group, and control group. The criterion for this division was the likely effect of the individual's behavior on the mechanism and cause of his/her death. The material used for analyses were blood samples collected during routine medico-legal examinations in these cases. The blood samples were used to measure anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Moreover, the following data were recorded for each decedent: sex, age, circumstances of death, cause of death, time from death to autopsy, and (if provided) substance abuse status (alcohol, illicit drugs). In those cases where blood alcohol level or toxicology tests were requested by the Prosecutor's Office, their results were also included in our analysis. Test results demonstrated a strong correlation between latent T. gondii infection and engaging in risky behaviors leading to death. Moreover, analyses demonstrated a positive correlation between the presence of anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies and psychoactive substance (especially ethanol) abuse, however, the causal relationship remains unclear. Due to the fact that alcohol abuse constitutes a significant social problem, searching for eliminable risk factors for addiction is extremely important. Our analyses provided new important information on the possible effects of latent T. gondii infection in humans.

Puppet master: possible influence of the parasite Toxoplasma gondii on managers and employees

October 2, 2017
Houdek, P.
Academy of Management Perspectives 2017; 31: 63-81

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Do Toxoplasma – infected subjects have better leadership skills? Comment on paper “Puppet 1 master: possible influence of the parasite Toxoplasma gondii on managers and employees“

September 27, 2017
Flegr, J.
Academy of Management Perspectives, in press

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Does Toxoplasma infection increase sexual masochism and submissiveness? Yes and no

September 27, 2017
Flegr, J.
Communicative & Integrative Biology 2017; http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/19420889.2017.1303590

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Pathogen-mediated NMDA receptor autoimmunity and cellular barrier dysfunction in schizophrenia

May 9, 2017
Kannan, G., Gressitt, K.L., Yang, S., Stallings, C.R., Katsafanas, E., Schweinfurth, L.A., Savage, C.L.G., Adamos, M.B., Sweeney, K.M., Origoni, A.E., Khushalani, S., Bahn, S., Leweke, F.M., Dickerson, F.B., Yolken, R.H., Pletnikov, M.V., Severance, E.G.
Translational Psychiatry 2017; 7: 10.1038/tp.2017.162

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A reply to: Do toxoplasma-infected subjects have better leadership skills? Comment on paper “puppet master: possible influence of the parasite toxoplasma gondii on managers and employees”

February 12, 2017
Houdek, P.
Academy of Management Perspectives 2017; 31: 339-343

Moderation of the relationship between T. gondii seropositivity and impulsivity in younger men by the phenylalanine-tyrosine ratio

January 3, 2017
Peng, X. Q.
Biological Psychiatry 2017; 81:124-125

Reciprocal moderation by Toxoplasma gondii seropositivity and blood phenylalanine – tyrosine ratio of their associations with trait aggression

October 6, 2016
Mathai, A. J., Lowry, C. A., Cook, T. B., Brenner, L. A., Brundin, L., Groer, M. W., Peng, X. Q., Giegling, I., Hartmann, A. M., Konte, B., Friedl, M. Fuchs, D. Rujescu, D. Postolache, T. T.
Pteridines 2016; 27: 77-85.

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Combined Toxoplasma gondii seropositivity and high blood kynurenine – Linked with nonfatal suicidal self-directed violence in patients with schizophrenia

October 3, 2016
Okusaga, O., Duncan, E., Langenberg, P., Brundin, L., Fuchs, D., Groer, M. W., Giegling, I., Stearns-Yoder, K. A., Hartmann, A. M., Konte, B., Friedl, M., Brenner, L. A., Lowry, C. A., Rujescu, D., Postolache, T. T.
Journal of Psychiatric Research 2016; 72: 74-81

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The relation of Toxoplasma infection and sexual attraction to fear, danger, pain and submissiveness

September 27, 2016
Flegr, J., Kuba, R.
Evolutionary Psychology 2016; 1-10, DOI: 10.1177/1474704916659746

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