Tag

Toxoplasma Gondii

All articles tagged with #toxoplasma gondii

science15 days ago•47 min saved

Global Parasite May Be Shaping Human Cognition

Toxoplasma gondii infects roughly one-third of people worldwide through cat feces, undercooked meat, contaminated water, and from mother to fetus. While often mild, the parasite can alter brain chemistry and behavior and has been linked to cognitive changes and an increased risk of schizophrenia. There is no vaccine or cure, and researchers argue for recognizing toxoplasmosis as a neglected tropical disease to mobilize resources, address its significant health and economic burden, and target especially vulnerable populations in poorer regions.

via Yahoo|

#cognition #neglected-tropical-disease #schizophrenia-risk

science16 days ago•3 min saved

Widespread Parasite Linked to Cognition Changes Sparks Call for Policy Action

A parasite called toxoplasma gondii, commonly spread via cat feces, undercooked meat, and contaminated water, infects roughly one-third of humans and can cause eye, brain, and possibly cognitive changes; there is no cure or vaccine. Researchers urge recognizing toxoplasmosis as a neglected tropical disease to mobilize resources for research and public health efforts, a move that could alleviate a disproportionate burden on poorer populations.

via Futurism|

#cognition #neglected-tropical-diseases #public-health

health19 days ago•4 min saved

Toxoplasmosis Could Be Classified as an NTD to Unlock Global Health Funding

A new viewpoint argues that toxoplasmosis meets the WHO criteria to be classified as a neglected tropical disease, which would unlock funding and accelerate prevention, screening, and treatment efforts. About one-third of the global population is infected, though most are asymptomatic; ocular toxoplasmosis is a leading cause of eye infection and vision loss, and congenital infections affect roughly 190,000 babies annually. There is no vaccine or standard treatment, highlighting gaps in knowledge and care. Recognizing it as an NTD could enable integrated public health actions—improving food safety, sanitation, maternal and child health—across multiple sectors to reduce infection and health burden.

via ScienceAlert|

#congenital-toxoplasmosis #health #neglected-tropical-disease

health19 days ago•4 min saved

Toxoplasma gondii: The widespread cat parasite begging for neglected-disease status

An international team urges the WHO to designate Toxoplasma gondii infection as a neglected tropical disease, arguing it infects about 10% of Americans and can cause congenital problems and sight‑threatening eye disease; labeling it a NTD could boost funding for vaccines, diagnostics, and prevention through safer food systems, clean water, and prenatal care.

via Gizmodo|

#health #neglected-tropical-diseases #ocular-toxoplasmosis

science1 month ago•6 min saved

Cat Exposure Linked to Higher Schizophrenia Risk, Review Finds

A 2023 meta-analysis of 17 studies across 11 countries finds an association between cat exposure and higher risk of schizophrenia-related disorders, with exposed individuals about twice as likely to develop schizophrenia; however, the evidence is observational, often inconsistent, and causality cannot be established, underscoring the need for higher-quality, large-scale research and further exploration of mechanisms like Toxoplasma gondii.

via ScienceAlert|

#cat-exposure #mental-health #meta-analysis

science2 months ago•6 min saved

Mitochondria shed membranes to forge new organelles during infection, hinting at cell evolution

During infection by Toxoplasma gondii, mitochondria shed their outer membranes to form SPOTs—a new type of organelle that engulfs lysosomes—suggesting mitochondria can generate specialized organelles and supporting theories about how ancient mitochondria contributed to modern cell compartments and immunity.

via Nature|

#immunity #mitochondria #organelles

science3 months ago•2 min saved

Parasite makes chimpanzees crave leopard urine, hinting at human olfactory quirks

New research shows Toxoplasma gondii can alter chimpanzee behavior, drawing infected individuals to the scent of leopards (the parasite’s natural predator), likely boosting transmission when felines prey on them; similar olfactory effects are suspected in humans, suggesting an evolutionary relic of the parasite’s manipulation.

via BBC Wildlife Magazine|

#chimpanzees #humans #leopard-urine

science4 months ago•4 min saved

Brain T Cells Sacrifice Themselves to Halt Parasite Spread, Study Finds

Researchers in mice found that CD8+ T cells infected by the brain parasite Toxoplasma gondii can trigger caspase-8–mediated self-destruction, killing the parasite-containing cells and preventing spread in the brain; absence of caspase-8 in these T cells leads to more brain infection, revealing a surprising protective role for T cell death and suggesting new avenues for toxoplasmosis treatment.

via ScienceAlert|

#casapase-8 #cd8-tcells #immunology

health-and-medicine4 months ago•6 min saved

Brain Parasite Toxoplasma gondii Is Stopped by Immune Cells' Self-Destruct Switch

Researchers at UVA Health found that the brain parasite Toxoplasma gondii can infect CD8+ T cells, but these immune cells use the enzyme caspase-8 to trigger a self-destruct mechanism that kills the infected cell and the parasite inside. In mice lacking caspase-8 in their T cells, brain parasite levels were higher and outcomes worse, indicating caspase-8 is crucial for limiting brain infection. With about a third of people believed to carry T. gondii, most cases are asymptomatic, though toxoplasmosis remains a risk for the immunocompromised. The study, published in Science Advances, enhances understanding of how the immune system controls the parasite and why T cells’ self-destruction can prevent brain persistence.

via ScienceDaily|

#brain-infection #caspase-8 #cd8-t-cells

science5 months ago•4 min saved

Diverse Subtypes Inside Brain Cysts Rewrite T. gondii Life Cycle

A UC Riverside study using single-cell RNA sequencing finds that Toxoplasma gondii cysts in mouse brains contain multiple parasite subtypes, not just dormant forms, with some subtypes showing growth and reactivation potential, challenging the idea of a single dormant cyst and highlighting new targets for toxoplasmosis treatments.

via ScienceAlert|

#brain-cysts #parasite-subtypes #reactivation

science6 months ago•5 min saved

Brain Parasite Hijacks Immune Cells, Then Is Stopped by a Self-Destruct Switch

Researchers at UVA Health found that Toxoplasma gondii can infect CD8+ T cells in the brain. Caspase-8 triggers the infected cells to die, cutting off the parasite's life cycle. Mice lacking caspase-8 show higher brain parasite loads and worse outcomes, while normal mice clear the infection. The finding highlights a brain-specific immune defense and a potential target for treatment in at-risk individuals.

via Indian Defence Review|

#apoptosis #brain-infection #caspase-8

health8 months ago•3 min saved

New 'Off Switch' Discovery May Eliminate Brain Parasites

Scientists have discovered that disabling a specific protein, TgAP2X-7, in the parasite Toxoplasma gondii can effectively kill it by preventing invasion, replication, and survival, offering hope for safer treatments of toxoplasmosis, especially in immunocompromised patients.

via ScienceAlert|

#brain-infection #health #new-treatment

health11 months ago•2 min saved

Cat Parasite May Influence Your Decision-Making

A parasite called Toxoplasma gondii, spread mainly through cats, may influence human behavior by increasing dopamine levels, leading to riskier and more aggressive actions. It infects a significant portion of the population worldwide, often without symptoms, and can alter brain chemistry to reduce fear responses, potentially impacting societal behavior and violence. Preventative measures include good hygiene and proper food handling.

via BBC Science Focus Magazine|

#behavioral-effects #brain-manipulation #cats

health1 year ago•3 min saved

Toxoplasma Parasite Alters Personality and Aggression

Research indicates that Toxoplasma gondii and other parasites can alter brain chemistry, increasing impulsivity, aggression, and risk-taking behaviors in humans, potentially impacting mental health and societal trends. These parasites manipulate dopamine and immune responses, which may influence personality traits and behavior, raising public health concerns and prompting further investigation into their broader effects.

via Neuroscience News|

#behavioral-changes #health #neurochemical-manipulation

health1 year ago•4 min saved

Up to 30% of Americans May Be Silent Carriers of a Brain-Disrupting Parasite

Nearly one-third of Americans are infected with Toxoplasma gondii, a parasite that silently alters brain function by disrupting neuron-astrocyte communication through changes in extracellular vesicles, potentially increasing risks for neurological disorders and offering new avenues for detection and treatment.

via The Brighter Side of News|

#brain-infection #extracellular-vesicles #health