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Toxoplasma gondii & Human Phenotype

Compendium of Known Effects and Ongoing Research

severe mental illness

Infectious and immunogenetic factors in bipolar disorder

January 3, 2017
Oliveira, J., Oliveira-Maia, A. J., Tamouza, R., Brown, A. S., Leboyer, M.
Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica 2017; 136:409-423
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Objective: Despite the evidence supporting the association between infection and bipolar disorder (BD), the genetic vulnerability that mediates its effects has yet to be clarified. A genetic origin for the immune imbalance observed in BD, possibly involved in the mechanisms of pathogen escape, has, however, been suggested in recent studies. Method: Here, we present a critical review based on a systematic literature search of articles published until December 2016 on the association between BD and infectious/immunogenetic factors. Results: We provide evidence suggesting that infectious insults could act as triggers of maladaptive immune responses in BD and that immunogenetic vulnerability may amplify the effects of such environmental risk factors, increasing susceptibility to subsequent environmental encounters. Quality of evidence was generally impaired by scarce attempt of replication, small sample sizes and lack of high-quality environmental measures. Conclusion: Infection has emerged as a potential preventable cause of morbidity in BD, urging the need to better investigate components of the host-pathogen interaction in patients and at-risk subjects, and thus opening the way to novel therapeutic opportunities.

Tagged: antagonist gene polymorphism, bipolar disorder, borna-disease virus, immunogenetics, infection, inflammation, korean population, manic-depressive disorders, mood disorders, necrosis-factor-alpha, population-based cohort, retrovirus-w family, severe mental illness, toxoplasma gondii infection

Mental health

Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection among individuals with severe mental illness in Nigeria: a case control study

October 11, 2013
James, B. O., Agbonile, I. O., Okolo, M., Lawani, A. O., Omoaregba, J. O.
Pathogens and Global Health 2013; 107: 189-193
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Background: While the aetiology for most psychotic disorders is unknown, a strong association has been observed between Toxoplasma gondii infection and psychosis. The proportion of individuals with psychotic disorders who have current or past infection with toxoplasma has been varied. Reports from the African continent have however been scanty. Methods: A case control study of patients with a psychotic disorder presenting for the first time to a regional psychiatric facility was undertaken and compared to age and sex-matched healthy controls. In addition to socio-demographic and clinical characteristics, seroprevalence (IgG and IgM) of T. gondii was undertaken using an immunoassay test kit. Results: IgG seropositivity was significantly higher among cases (30.7% vs 17.85%, OR=2.04, 95% CI=1.12-3.74, P<0.02). In contrast, IgM seropositivity was significantly lower among the cases (7.14% vs 8.57%, OR=0.82, 95% CI=0.31-2.16, P=0.82). Cases who were IgG seropositive to T. gondii were more likely to be older (P<0.001) and female (P<0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in terms of T. gondii infection and, eaten poorly cooked meat (0.88), and diagnostic group (P=0.53). Though there was a trend towards exposure to cats, this failed to reach significance (P=0.08). Conclusion: T. gondii (IgG) infection is common among individuals with severe mental illness sampled and significantly higher compared to controls.

Tagged: agents, antibodies, behavior, nigeria, posttraumatic-stress-disorder, risk factors, Schizophrenia, severe mental illness, Toxoplasma gondii

Mental health

Topics

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  • Cognitive functions 64
  • Mental health 439
  • Morphology 6
  • Motor functions 10
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  • Sensory functions 3
  • Uncategorized 2

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