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Toxoplasma gondii & Human Phenotype

Compendium of Known Effects and Ongoing Research

child

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
Click for abstract
Background and aim: Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a common neuropsychiatric illness. Although the etiology of OCD is still unknown, recent investigations have associated development of OCD with infectious illness. Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is a neurotropic protozoan parasite that causes infection of the central nervous system. In the last decade, a lot of researches have focused on the possible relationship between exposure to T. gondii and neuropsychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia. Therefore, in this study, it was aimed to investigate a possible association between Toxoplasma infection and OCD in children and adolescents.Methods: We selected 55 patients with OCD (aged between 7 and 16 years) and 59 healthy children and adolescents (aged between 7 and 16 years), and investigated the seropositivity rate for anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibodies by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Results: The seropositivity rate for anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies among OCD patients (21.82%) was found to be higher than the rate in control group (15.25%). However, the difference between the OCD group and the control group was not statistically significant (p>.05).Conclusion: In contrast to studies in adult patients, the results of this study do not support the relationship between T. gondii and OCD children and adolescents.

Tagged: adolescent, behavior, child, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, epidemiologyadolescent, infecton, obsessive-compulsive disorder, Schizophrenia, Toxoplasa gondii

BehaviorMental health

Sero-prevalence of anti- Toxoplasma gondii antibodies among patients with neuropsychiatric disorders: Epilepsy and depression

October 30, 2016
Abd El-Aal, N. F., Saber, M., Fawzy, N., Ashour, W. R.
Journal of the Egyptian Society of Parasitology 2016; 46: 729-736
Click for abstract
Toxoplasma gondii infection is concerned to have an association with epilepsy and depression either as a cause or a potential risk factor for their occurrence. Nevertheless, there has been long-standing interest in investigating this possible association, the evidence for such relationship is yet not conclusive. The current study correlated between T. gondii infection and Neuropsychiatric disorders: epilepsy and depression, through serological valuation of anti-Toxoplasma immunoglobulin (Ig) G antibodies. In the current study, 112 patients suffered from epilepsy (72 cryptogenic and 40 non-cryptogenic), 118 had depression and 60 healthy volunteers that had no history of any neuropsychiatric disorders in their first degree relatives were enrolled. Full history taking, complete physical examination, cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), scalp electroencephalography (EEG), a structured questionnaire and T. gondii specific IgG antibody ELISA were performed to all groups. The results showed that the anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibodies were detected among cases with cryptogenic epilepsy 34.7% (25 out of 72 cases), non-cryptogenic epilepsy 2.5% (1 out of 40) and depression 20.3% (24 out of 118) groups compared to healthy. control group (11.7%). There were significant associations between T. gondii seropositivity of epilepsy and depression groups in age, residence, contact with pets and social class compared to control healthy group (p<0.05). Youth and adults had the highest sero-T. gondii infection especially male in rural areas with low social class.

Tagged: adolescent, adult, antibodies, child, depression/*blood/etiology, epilepsy/*blood/etiology, female, humans, infant, male, middle aged, preschool, protozoan/*blood, seroepidemiologic studies, Toxoplasma/*immunology, Toxoplasmosis/*immunology/parasitology, young adult

Mental health

Seropositivity of Toxoplasma gondii and Toxocara spp. in children with cryptogenic epilepsy, Benha, Egypt

October 6, 2016
Eraky, M.A., Abdel-Hady, S., Abdallah, K.F.
Korean Journal of Parasitology 2016; 54: 335-338.
Click for abstract
The present study aimed to investigate the possible association of Toxoplasma gondii and Toxocara spp. infections with cryptogenic epilepsy in children. The study was carried out between June 2014 and March 2015. Total 90 children (40 with cryptogenic epilepsy, 30 with non-cryptogenic epilepsy, and 20 healthy control children) were evaluated to determine the anti-Toxocara and anti-T. gondii IgG seropositivity using ELISA kits. Epileptic cases were selected from those attending the pediatrics outpatient clinic of Benha University Hospital, Pediatrics Neurology Unit, and from Benha Specialized Hospital of children. The results showed that the level of anti-T. gondii IgG seropositivity was significantly higher among children with cryptogenic epilepsy (20%) than among children with non-cryptogenic children (0%). In healthy controls (10%), there was no association between toxocariasis seropositivity and cryptogenic epilepsy (only 5.7%; 4 out of 70 cases) among cases and 10% (2 out of 20) among controls. Among toxocariasis IgG positive cases, 3 (7.5%) were cryptogenic, and only 1 (3.3%) was non-cryptogenic. These statistically significant results support the association between T. gondii infection and cryptogenic epilepsy while deny this association with toxocariasis.

Tagged: child, cryptogenic epilepsy, egypt, Epidemiology, ilae, infection, prevalence, seropositivity, toxocara, Toxoplasma

Mental healthPhysical health

Toxoplasma gondii and schizophrenia

January 10, 2003
Torrey, E. F., Yolken, R. H.
Emerg Infect Dis 2003; 9: 1375-1380
Click for abstract
Recent epidemiologic studies indicate that infectious agents may contribute to some cases of schizophrenia. In animals, infections with Toxoplasma gondii can alter behavior and neurotransmitter function. In humans, acute infection with T. gondii can produce psychotic symptoms similar to those displayed by persons with schizophrenia. Since 1953, a total of 19 studies of T. gondii antibodies in persons with schizophrenia and other severe psychiatric disorders and in controls have been reported; 18 reported a higher percentage of antibodies in the affected persons; in 11 studies the difference was statistically significant. Two other studies found that exposure to cats in childhood was a risk factor for the development of schizophrenia. Some medications used to treat schizophrenia inhibit the replication of T. gondii in cell culture. Establishing the role of T. gondii in the etiopathogenesis of schizophrenia might lead to new medications for its prevention and treatment.

Tagged: adult, animals, antibodies, Brain/pathology, child, Epidemiologic Methods, female, humans, male, middle aged, protozoan/blood, Schizophrenia/blood/*etiology/parasitology, Toxoplasma/*immunology/pathogenicity, Toxoplasmosis/*complications/epidemiology/transmission

Mental health

Headache and painful lymphadenopathy in extracranial or systemic infection- etiology of new daily persistant headaches

November 7, 1993
Santoni JR, Santoniwilliams CJ
Internal Medicine 1993; 32: 530-532
Click for abstract
From 108 cases of new daily persistent headaches, clinical or laboratory evidence was found suggesting extracranial or systemic infections in: 28 cases (25.9%) of gastrointestinal mainly Salmonella, 28 (25.9%) urinary Coli, 16 (14.8%) Streptococcal, 4 (3.7%) each of Epstein Barr virus or Toxoplasma, and 1 (0.9%) each of Herpes Zoster or pneumonia. A group of 26 (24.1%) showed high Proteus OX titer or clinical adenoviral involvement. All had normal neurological examinations plus selective negative neuroimaging or spinal taps. The mean headache duration was 13.8 days, and mean age 28.8 years. Prominent symptoms were fever in 37 (34.2%) cases, nausea/vomiting in 30 (27%) and vertigo in 17 (15.7%). Diarrhea, dysuria, and abdominal discomfort were rare. Headache was a solitary symptom in 36 (33.3%). The predominant sign was painful cervical lymphadenopathy in 61 (56.5%). These cases represent 1.2% of our 9060 neurology patients.

Tagged: adolescent, adult, aged, bacterial Infections/complications, child, continental population groups, Dominican Republic/epidemiology, female, fever/etiology, gastrointestinal diseases/complications/microbiology, headache/epidemiology/*etiology/microbiology/parasitology, humans, infection/*complications, lymphatic diseases/epidemiology/*etiology/microbiology/parasitology, male, middle aged, neck, occupations, preschool, recurrence, tonsillitis/complications/microbiology, toxoplasmosis/*complications, urinary tract infections/complications, virus diseases/complications

Physical health

Onset of ocular complications in congenital toxoplasmosis associated with immunoglobulin M antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii

October 30, 1990
Sibalic, D., Djurkovic-Djakovic, O., Bobic, B.
European Journal of Clinical Microbiology &Infectious Diseases 1990; 9: 671-674
Click for abstract
Four patients with congenital toxoplasmosis serologically diagnosed by the Sabin-Feldman test (SFT) and the IgM-indirect fluorescent antibody test (IgM-IFAT) in the first year of life presented with eye disease between the age of 21 months and ten years. Repeated serological testing revealed increasing levels of specific antibodies as measured by the SFT. IgM antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii were detected in all four patients by the immunosorbent agglutination assay, in two by the IgM-IFAT and in three by the IgM-indirect haemagglutination test. Findings suggest that specific IgM antibodies reappear at the time of reactivation of congenital toxoplasmosis later in life, or possibly persist for an extraordinary long period (up to ten years)

Tagged: age factors, animals, antibodies, Antibody Specificity, child, Congenital/*complications/immunology, female, fluorescent antibody technique, Hemagglutination Tests/methods, humans, Immunoglobulin M/*analysis, Immunosorbent Techniques, infant, male, Ocular/*etiology/immunology, preschool, Protozoan/*analysis, Toxoplasma/*immunology, toxoplasmosis

Physical health

Landau-Kleffner syndrome–epileptic aphasia in children–possible role of Toxoplasma gondii infection

November 8, 1988
Michaoowicz, R., Jozwiak, S., Ignatowicz, R., Szwabowska-Orzeszko, E.
Acta Paediatrica Hungarica 1988; 29: 337-342
Click for abstract
The association of unusual types of aphasia and epilepsy (Landau-Kleffner syndrome) has been described in three children. The children were 5 to 11 years of age and all have EEG abnormalities. Speech disorders appeared after epileptic seizures. No organic causes of the disease have been found in axial computed tomography. In all described cases the increased titer of IgG antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii has been observed. The authors suggest that the Toxoplasma gondii infection should be taken into account as a possible cause of Landau-Kleffner syndrome.

Tagged: antibodies, aphasia/*etiology, child, electroencephalography, epilepsy/*etiology, female, humans, immunoglobulin G/analysis, male, preschool, protozoan/analysis, syndrome, toxoplasmosis/*complications/immunology

Physical health

Reptilian behavioural patterns in childhood autism

January 10, 1984
Thong, Y.H.
Med Hypotheses 1984; 13: 399-405
Click for abstract
Childhood autism may be caused by damage to three phylogenetically distinct regions of the brain, or their major pathways and connections. Injury to the neocortex results in loss of language and cognitive function, while injury to the limbic cortex results in autistic withdrawal and abolition of play behaviour. Injury to the more primitive striatal complex, mammalian counterpart of the brain of reptiles, results in a bizarre and truncated form of stereotyped and ritualistic behaviour. The causes of brain injury in childhood autism could be those common in the perinatal period including cerebral anoxia, haemorrhage, phenylketonuria, neurolipidoses , meningitis, toxoplasmosis, and congenital rubella. All these conditions have previously been shown to be associated with childhood autism.

Tagged: Animals Autistic Disorder/*physiopathology, Brain Damage, Brain/*physiopathology, Caudate Nucleus/physiopathology, Cerebral Cortex/physiopathology, child, Chronic/physiopathology, Globus Pallidus/physiopathology, humans, Putamen/physiopathology, Reptiles, Stereotyped Behavior/*physiology

Mental health

Toxoplasma gondii as a cause of rheumatoid arthritis

November 8, 1982
Tomairek, H. A., Saeid, M. S., Morsy, T. A., Michael, S. A.
Journal of the Egyptian Society of Parasitology 1982; 12: 17-23
Tagged: adolescent, adult, aged, animals, antibodies/analysis, arthritis, child, female, hemagglutination tests, humans, male, middle aged, rheumatoid/*etiology/immunology, Toxoplasma/*immunology, toxoplasmosis/*complications/immunology

Physical health

Psychological state of children with positive serological test for toxoplasmosis

November 8, 1980
Nizel-Siminska, W.
PsychiatrPol 1980; 14: 241-246
Tagged: adolescent, child, child behavior disorders/etiology, cognition disorders/etiology, female, humans, male, neurotic disorders/etiology, preschool, toxoplasmosis/diagnosis/*psychology

Cognitive functionsMental health

A study to determine causal relationships of toxoplasmosis to mental retardation

November 8, 1971
Mackie MJ, Fiscus AG, Pallister P.
American Journal of Epidemiology 1971; 94: 215-221
Tagged: adolescent, adult, age factors, animals, antibodies/analysis, child, congenital/*complications/diagnosis/epidemiology, female, fluorescent antibody technique, hemagglutination tests, hospitalization, humans, infant, intellectual disability/*etiology, length of stay, male, mice, middle aged, Montana, newborn, preschool, rabbits, sex factors, Toxoplasma/*immunology, toxoplasmosis, toxoplasmosis/immunology

Mental health

Relationship of central nervous system neoplasms to Toxoplasma gondii infection

November 9, 1967
Schuman LM, Choi NW, Gullen WH
. American Journal of Public Health and the Nations Health 1967; 57: 848-&.
Tagged: adolescent, adult, aged, brain neoplasms/*epidemiology/*etiology, child, female, humans, infant, male, middle aged, minnesota, preschool, spinal cord neoplasms/*epidemiology/*etiology, toxoplasmosis/blood/*complications

Physical health

Frontiers of neurological diagnosis in acquired toxoplasmosis

November 9, 1966
Kramer W.
Psychiatria, Neurologia, Neurochirurgia 1966; 69: 43-64.
Tagged: *neurologic examination, *neurologic manifestations, adolescent, adult, antibodies, central nervous system diseases/*diagnosis, cerebrospinal fluid proteins, child, complement fixation tests, electroencephalography, female, humans, infant, male, middle aged, preschool, serologic tests, toxoplasmosis/*diagnosis

Mental healthPhysical health

Diagnostic problems in psychiatry with regard to acquired toxoplasmosis

November 9, 1966
Ladee GA, Scholten JM, Meyes FEP
Psychiatria,Neurologia,Neurochirurgia 1966; 69: 65-82
Tagged: adolescent, adult, brain diseases/*complications, child, female, humans, intellectual disability/*etiology, male, meningoencephalitis/complications/etiology, mental disorders/*etiology, middle aged, toxoplasmosis/*complications

Mental health

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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