traffic accidents – Toxoplasma gondii & Human Phenotype

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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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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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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Seroprevalance Anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in children and adolescents with tourette syndrome/chronic motor or vocal tic disorder: A case-control study

September 3, 2018
Akaltun, I., Kara, T., Kara, S. S., Ayaydin, H.
Psychiatry Research 2018; 263: 154-157

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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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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.

Association between anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies and schizophrenia and psychotic bipolar in patients hospitalized in the psychiatric ward

October 6, 2016
Dalimiasl, A., Mosayebi, M., Ghorbanzadeh, B., Ghasemi, M., Hajihossein, R.
Australasian Medical Journal 2016; 9: 313-318

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Toxoplasmosis Titers and past Suicide Attempts Among Older Adolescents Initiating SSRI Treatment

March 23, 2016
Coryell, W., Yolken, R., Butcher, B., Burns, T., Dindo, L., Schlechte, J., Calarge, C.
Archives of Suicide Research 2016; 20: 605-613

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The prevalence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in stutterers is higher than in the control group

October 9, 2015
Celik, T., Gokcen, C., Aytas, O., Ozcelik, A., Celik, M., Coban, N.
Folia Parasitologica 2015; 62

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Relationship between Toxoplasma gondii and mood disturbance in women veterans

October 9, 2015
Duffy, A. R., Beckie, T. M., Brenner, L. A., Beckstead, J. W., Seyfang, A., Postolache, T. T., Groer, M. W.
Military Medicine 2015; 180: 621-625.

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Cognitive deterioration among bipolar disorder patients infected by Toxoplasma gondii is correlated to interleukin 6 levels

October 6, 2015
Hamdani, N., Daban-Huard, C., Lajnef, M., Gadel, R., Le Corvoisier, P., Delavest, M., Carde, S., Lepine, J. P., Jamain, S., Houenou, J., Galeh, B., Richard, J. R., Aoki, M., Charron, D., Krishnamoorthy, R., Yolken, R., Dickerson, F., Tamouza, R., Leboyer, M.
Journal of Affective Disorders 2015; 179: 161-166

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High seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in female sex workers: a case-control study

May 25, 2015
Alvarado-Esquivel, C., Sanchez-Anguiano, L. F., Hernandez-Tinoco, J., Arreola-Chaidez, E., Lopez, J., Salcido-Meraz, K. I., Estrada-Martinez, S., Navarrete-Flores, J. A., Perez-Alamos, A. R., Hernandez-Ochoa, M., Rabago-Sanchez, E., Liesenfeld, O.
European Journal of Microbiology and Immunology 2015; 5: 285-292

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No evidence of association between Toxoplasma gondii infection and financial risk taking in females

January 4, 2015
Lanchava, L., Carlson, K., Sebankova, B., Flegr, J., Nave, G.
Plos One 2015; 10: ARTN e0136716 10.1371/journal.pone.0136716

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The association of Toxoplasma gondii infection with neurocognitive deficits in a population-based analysis

October 10, 2014
Pearce, B.D., Kruszon-Moran, D., Jones, J.L.
Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology 2014; 49: 1001-1010

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The possible relationship of Toxoplasma with risk of traffic accidents

September 3, 2014
Khademvatan, S., Forouzan, A., Darian, A. A., Rahim,F., Khoozani, A. S., Masoumi, K.
Health MED 2014; 8: 657-661

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Toxoplasma gondii exposure affects neural processing speed as measured by acoustic startle latency in schizophrenia and controls

October 10, 2013
Pearce, B. D., Hubbard, S., Rivera, H. N., Wilkins, P. P., Fisch, M. C., Hopkins, M. H., Hasenkamp, W., Gross, R., Bliwise, N., Jones, J. L., Duncan, E.
Schizophrenia Research 2013; 150: 258-261

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Seroepidemiology of Toxoplasma gondii infection in drivers involved in road traffic accidents in the metropolitan area of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico

October 10, 2013
Galvan-Ramirez, M. D., Sanchez-Orozco, L. V., Rodriguez, L. R., Rodriguez, S., Roig-Melo, E., Sanroman, R. T., Chiquete, E., Armendariz-Borunda, J.
In: Parasites & Vectors 2013;6:10.1186/1756-3305-6-294

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Background: The prevalence of toxoplasmosis in the general population of Guadalajara, Mexico, is around 32%. Toxoplasmosis can cause ocular lesions and slowing of reaction reflexes. Latent toxoplasmosis has been related with traffic accidents. We aimed to assess the prevalence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies and visual impairments related with traffic accidents in drivers from the metropolitan Guadalajara. Methods: We prospectively evaluated the prevalence of IgG and IgM anti-T. gondii antibodies in 159 individuals involved in traffic accidents, and in 164 control drivers never involved in accidents. Cases of toxoplasmosis reactivation or acute infection were detected by PCR in a subset of 71 drivers studied for the presence of T. gondii DNA in blood samples. Ophthalmologic examinations were performed in drivers with IgG anti-T. gondii antibodies in search of ocular toxoplasmosis. Results: Fifty-four (34%) traffic accident drivers and 59 (36%) controls were positive to IgG anti-T. gondii antibodies (p = 0.70). Among the 113 seropositive participants, mean anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies titers were higher in traffic accident drivers than in controls (237.9 +/- 308.5 IU/ml vs. 122.9 +/- 112.7 IU/ml, respectively; p = 0.01 by Student's t test, p = 0.037 by Mann-Whitney U test). In multivariate analyses, anti-T. gondii IgG antibody titers were consistently associated with an increased risk of traffic accidents, whereas age showed an inverse association. The presence of IgM-anti-T. gondii antibodies was found in three (1.9%) subjects among traffic accident drives, and in two (1.2%) controls. Three (4.2%) samples were positive for the presence of T. gondii DNA, all among seropositive individuals. No signs of ocular toxoplasmosis were found in the entire cohort. Moreover, no other ocular conditions were found to be associated with the risk of traffic accidents in a multivariate analysis. Conclusions: Anti-T. gondii antibody titers are associated with the risk of traffic accidents. We could not determine any association of ocular toxoplasmosis with traffic accidents. Our results warrant further analyses in order to clarify the link between toxoplasmosis and traffic accidents

Latent Toxoplasmosis gondii: Emerging Evidence for Influences on Neuropsychiatric Disorders

October 16, 2012
Hurley, R. A., Taber, K. H.
Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences 2012; 24: 376-383

Toxoplasma gondii immunoglobulin G antibodies and nonfatal suicidal self-directed violence

October 11, 2012
Zhang, Y. F., Traskman-Bendz, L., Janelidze, S., Langenberg, P., Saleh, A., Constantine, N., Okusaga, O., Bay-Richter, C., Brundin, L., Postolache, T. T.
Journal of Clinical Psychiatry 2012; 73: 1069-1076

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Objective: The primary aim was to relate Toxoplasma gondii seropositivity and serointensity to scores on the self-rated Suicide Assessment Scale (SUAS-S). Another aim was to reevaluate the previously reported positive association between T gondii serointensity and a history of nonfatal suicidal self-directed violence. Method: This cross-sectional, observational study compared T gondii serointensity and seropositivity in plasma from 54 adult suicide attempters (inpatients at Lund University Hospital, Lund, Sweden) and 30 adult control subjects (randomly selected from the municipal population register in Lund, Sweden) recruited between 2006 and 2010.The potential of patients and controls for self-directed violence was evaluated with the SUAS-S. Psychiatric diagnoses were made according to DSM-IV criteria. Plasma samples were tested for immunoglobulin G antibodies to T gondii, cytomegalovirus, and herpes simplex virus type 1. Data were analyzed using multivariable logistic regression to investigate the association between T gondii serointensity or seropositivity and a history of nonfatal suicidal self-directed violence; multivariable linear regression was used to explore the relationship between T gondii serointensify or seropositivity and the SUAS-S. Both regression models included sex, age, and body mass index as covariates. Results: Seropositivity of T gondii (adjusted odds ratio [OR]=7.12; 95% CI, 1.66-30.6; P=.008) and serointensity of T gondii (adjusted OR=2.01; 95% CI, 1.09-3.71; P=.03) were positively associated with a history of nonfatal suicidal self-directed violence. Seropositivity of T gondii was associated with higher SUAS-S scores, a relationship significant for the whole sample (P=.026), but not for suicide attempters only. No significant associations with other pathogens were identified. Conclusions: These results are consistent with previous reports on the association between T gondii infection and nonfatal suicidal self-directed violence. Confirming these results in future large longitudinal studies and including suicide as an outcome may lead to novel individualized approaches in suicide prevention. J Clin Psychiatry 2012;73 (8):1069-1076 (c) Copyright 2012 Physicians Postgraduate Press, Inc.

Toxoplasma gondii associated behavioural changes in mice, rats and humans: Evidence from current research

January 10, 2012
Bech-Nielsen, S.
Preventive Veterinary Medicine 2012; 103: 78-79

Latent toxoplasmosis and human

January 10, 2012
Dalimi, A., Abdoli, A.
Iranian Journal of Parasitology 2012; 7: 1-17

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Toxoplasma gondii seropositivity and suicide rates in women

October 19, 2011
Ling, V. J., Lester, D., Mortensen, P. B., Langenberg, P. W., Postolache, T. T.
Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease 2011; 199: 440-444

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Potential immunomodulatory effects of latent toxoplasmosis in humans

January 9, 2011
Flegr, J., Striz, I.
Bmc Infectious Diseases 2011; 11: Artn 274 10.1186/1471-2334-11-274

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Seroepidemiology of Toxoplasma gondii infection in patients with vision and hearing impairments, cancer, HIV, or undergoing hemodialysis in Durango, Mexico.

October 19, 2010
Alvarado-Esquivel, C., Liesenfeld, O., Torres-Castorena, A., Estrada-Martinez, S., Urbina-Alvarez, J. D., Ramos-de la Rocha, M., Marquez-Conde, J. A., Dubey, J. P.
Journal of Parasitology 2010; 96: 505-508.

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Higher prevalence of toxoplasmosis in victims of traffic accidents suggest increased risk of traffic accident in Toxoplasma-infected inhabitants of Istanbul and its suburbs.

October 26, 2009
Kocazeybek, B., Oner, Y. A., Turksoy, R., Babur, C., Cakan, H., Sahip, N., Unal, A., Ozaslan, A., Kilic, S., Saribas, S., Asian, M., Taylan, A., Koc, S., Dirican, A., Uner, H. B., Oz, V., Ertekin, C., Kucukbasmaci, O., Torun, M. M.
Forensic Science International 2009; 187: 103-108

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Reflexes of drivers who have toxoplasmosis have been shown to deteriorate from the actions of the parasitic cysts. The cysts can change the level of the neurotransmitters such as dopamine in the brain and by doing so extend the muscle response time and change personality profiles. In this Study, we aimed to determine the frequency of the latent toxoplasmosis (LT) in the driver population who were either injured or died in traffic accidents reported in Istanbul and its suburbs. We compared the results with a control group and discussed the relationship between the LT and the traffic accidents. We included 218 (89.7%) non-fatal, 25 (10.3%) fatal cases in our study as study groups. A total 243 subjects, 234 (96%) male, 9 (4%) female (who were alcohol negative) compared with 191 (95.5%) male and 9 (4.5%) female Subjects (control group) who had a traffic accident before but no history of toxoplasmosis were studied. Serologic tests, enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for IgG and IgM, and microimmunoflorescence (MIF) for IgG were used as the reference test, the Sabin-Feldman Dye test (SFDT) was used. According to serologic test results, LT seroprevalence in the study groups was 130 (53.5%) and in the control group 56 (28%) (p < 0.0001). A LT was present in 126 out of 234 (53.8%) males in the study groups, and 54 out of 191 (28.3%) males in the control group (p < 0.0001). In the 31-44 year age group, there was a significant difference with regard to toxoplasmosis between the study subjects and control groups (p < 0.0001). This difference was statistically very significant in (recent and former) cases with middle-aged men (31 44 years old). The results of this retrospective study Suggest that LT in drivers, especially those who are between 31 and 44 years might increase the risk for getting involved in a car accident. In a prospective study, Toxoplasma positive and negative subjects can be monitored before they are involved in a traffic accident to clarify the cause and result relationship. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Toxoplasma and schizophrenia

October 26, 2009
Yolken, R.H., Dickerson, F.B, Torrey, E.F.
Parasite Immunology 2009; 31: 706-715.

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Toxoplasma gondii a potential risk for traffic accidents in Turkey?

October 30, 2006
Yereli, K., Balcioglu, .IC., Ozbilgin, A.
Forensic Science International 2006; 163: 34-37

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In Turkey, traffic accidents are the major causes of mortality and morbidity. According to the statistics made by Turkish Security Headquarters in the year 2000, 7500 people are killed in the traffic accidents every year. Drivers are mostly blamed for the traffic accidents. Tired, weary, sleepy and absentminded driving are common reasons for traffic accidents due to many reasons. Among these reasons mental and reflex conditions of drivers are significant. Toxoplasmosis is one of the most common zoonoses throughout the world. In immumocomponent adults, toxoplasmosis has no clinical signs or symptoms and infection in such people can only be detected by serological examinations. This kind of latent or dormant toxoplasmosis can be located in neural or muscular tissues and cause prolonged reaction times of the muscles. Extended reaction times also lead to deceleration of the reflexes which could be a major cause of the traffic accidents. By the light of this situation, the incidence of Toxoplasma gondii is investigated among the population who were involved in a traffic accident while driving. A total of 185 people (100 men and 85 women), aged between 21 and 40 years, living in Izmir and Manisa cities, were enrolled in the study group (SG) during a period of 6 months time. Their informed consents were taken initially and the laboratory tests of all these individuals related to blood alcohol levels after the accidents were found negative. The control group (CG) were also consisted 185 people (95 men and 90 women), residents of the same region, in same age group. The people in CG had no clinical signs or symptoms concerning toxoplasmosis. All collected sera were examined using a commercial IgG and IgM ELISA kit. According to the results of serological tests of the SG, 45 (24.32%) sera were IgG positive, six (3.24%) were IgM positive and 10 (5.40%) were both IgG and IgM positive. On the other hand in CG, 12 (6.48%) people found IgG positive, one (0.54%) found IgM positive and three (1.62%) found both IgG and IgM positive. This data was considered as statistically significant by Yates corrected chi(2)-test. (p < 0.05). In conclusion, there is an increased risk for traffic accidents for drivers owing to these high seroprevalence of latent toxoplasmosis. Prospective studies are still necessary on this subject but latent toxoplasmosis of drivers should be taken into account while developing strategies to prevent traffic accidents in Turkey. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Increased risk of traffic accidents in subjects with latent toxoplasmosis: a retrospective case-control study

September 26, 2002
Flegr, J., Havlícek, J., Kodym, P., Malý, M., Smahel, Z.
BMC Infectious Diseases 2002; 2: 11 (1-13)

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