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Toxoplasma gondii & Human Phenotype

Compendium of Known Effects and Ongoing Research

prenatal infection

Maternal infection during pregnancy and risk of autism spectrum disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis

January 4, 2016
Jiang, H. Y., Xu, L. L., Shao, L., Xia, R. M., Yu, Z. H., Ling, Z. X., Yang, F., Deng, M., Ruan, B.
Brain Behavior and Immunity 2016; 58: 165-172
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Conflicting evidence exists with regard to the relationship between maternal infection during pregnancy and the risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in offspring. The aim of this meta-analysis was to systematically assess this relationship. To identify relevant studies, we conducted systematic searches in PubMed and Embase of scientific articles published through March 2016. Random-effects models were adopted to estimate overall relative risk. A total of 15 studies (2 cohort and 13 case-control studies) involving more than 40,000 ASD cases were included in our meta-analysis. Our results showed that maternal infection during pregnancy was associated with an increased risk of ASD in offspring (OR = 1.13, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.03-1.23), particularly among those requiring hospitalization (OR = 1.30, 95% CI: 1.14-1.50). Subgroup analyses suggested that risk may be modulated by the type of infectious agent, time of infectious exposure, and site of infection. These findings indicate that maternal infection during pregnancy increases the risk of ASD in offspring. Possible mechanisms may include direct effects of pathogens and, more indirectly, the effects of inflammatory responses on the developing brain. (C) 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Tagged: autism, brain-development, childhood, children, cytokines, Epidemiology, exposure, hospitalization, immune activation, infectious, prenatal, prenatal infection, prevalence, viral-infection

Mental health

Inflammatory molecular signature associated with infectious agents in psychosis

October 9, 2014 33 Comments
Hayes, L. N., Severance, E. G., Leek, J. T., Gressitt, K. L., Rohleder, C., Coughlin, J. M., Leweke, F. M., Yolken, R. H., Sawa, A.
Schizophrenia Bulletin 2014; 40: 963-972
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Schizophrenia (SZ) is a devastating mental condition with onset in young adulthood. The identification of molecular biomarkers that reflect illness pathology is crucial. Recent evidence suggested immune and inflammatory cascades in conjunction with infection may play a role in the pathology. To address this question, we investigated molecular changes in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from antipsychoticnaive patients with SZ and at risk mental status for psychosis (ARMS), in comparison with healthy controls (HCs). We measured 90 analytes using a broad multiplex platform focusing on immune and inflammatory cascades then selected 35 with our quality reporting criteria for further analysis. We also examined Toxoplasma gondii (TG) and herpes simplex virus 1 antibody levels in CSF. We report that expression of 15 molecules was significantly altered in the patient groups (SZ and ARMS) compared with HCs. The majority of these molecular changes (alpha-2-macroglobulin [alpha 2M], fibrinogen, interleukin-6 receptor [IL-6R], stem cell factor [SCF], transforming growth factor alpha [TGF alpha], tumor necrosis factor receptor 2 [TNFR2], IL-8, monocyte chemotactic protein 2 [MCP-2/CCL8], testosterone [for males], angiotensin converting enzyme [ACE], and epidermal growth factor receptor) were consistent between SZ and ARMS patients, suggesting these may represent trait changes associated with psychotic conditions in general. Interestingly, many of these analytes (alpha 2M, fibrinogen, IL-6R, SCF, TGF alpha, TNFR2, IL-8, MCP-2/CCL8, and testosterone [for males]) were exacerbated in subjects with ARMS compared with subjects with SZ. Although further studies are needed, we optimistically propose that these molecules may be good candidates for predictive markers for psychosis from an early stage. Lastly, reduction of IL-6R, TGF alpha, and ACE was correlated with positivity of TG antibody in the CSF, suggesting possible involvement of TG infection in the pathology.

Tagged: antibodies, at risk mental status, biomarker, cerebrospinal fluid, exposure, immune activation, inflammation, metaanalysis, pathways, prenatal infection, recent-onset schizophrenia, risk factors, Schizophrenia, simplex-virus 1, Toxoplasma gondii

Mental health

Toxoplasmosis and neuropsychiatric diseases: can serological studies establish a clear relationship?

October 11, 2013 13 Comments
Fabiani, S., Pinto, B., Bruschi, F.
Neurological Sciences 2013; 34: 417-425
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Toxoplasmosis is a widespread infection, with clinical spectrum ranging from a completely asymptomatic infection to multi-organ involvement. After entering the body, the parasite forms tissue cysts and establishes a chronic infection, involving also the central nervous system (CNS). During the last years, a lot of research has focused on the possible link between exposure to T. gondii and development of neuropsychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia and Parkinson's disease (PD). If a firm association between Toxoplasma infection and neuropsychiatric disorders will be established, this would lead to novel strategies for their prevention and treatment. We will review data from serological and neurodevelopment studies relating infection with T. gondii to such neuropsychiatric diseases.

Tagged: acquired-immunodeficiency-syndrome, brain, Cerebral toxoplasmosis, frontal-cortex, gondii infection, movement-disorders, parkinson's disease, parkinsonian symptoms, prenatal infection, Risk factor, Schizophrenia, schizophrenia spectrum disorders, serological studies, Toxoplasma gondii

Mental health

Topics

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  • Mental health 439
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  • 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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