Parasitic helminth infection and cognitive function in school children

Nokes, Catherine; Grantham‐McGregor, SM; Sawyer, Anthony W.; Cooper, Edward S.; Bundy, Donald

doi:10.1098/rspb.1992.0011

Cited by 186 publications

(63 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…Even studies indicating that parasites can a¡ect host learning and spatial performance (e.g. Stretch et al 1960;Kvalsvig 1988;Nokes et al 1992) have been confounded by parasite-induced disruptions of overall host health status (Thompson & Kavaliers 1994). The same does not appear to be true of subclinical T. gondii infection.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fatal attraction in rats infected withToxoplasma gondii

Berdoy

Webster

Macdonald

2000

Proc. R. Soc. Lond. B

661

473

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We tested the hypothesis that the parasite Toxoplasma gondii manipulates the behaviour of its intermediate rat host in order to increase its chance of being predated by cats, its feline de¢nitive host, thereby ensuring the completion of its life cycle. Here we report that, although rats have evolved anti-predator avoidance of areas with signs of cat presence, T. gondii's manipulation appears to alter the rat's perception of cat predation risk, in some cases turning their innate aversion into an imprudent attraction. The selectivity of such behavioural changes suggests that this ubiquitous parasite subtly alters the brain of its intermediate host to enhance predation rate whilst leaving other behavioural categories and general health intact. This is in contrast to the gross impediments frequently characteristic of many other host^parasite systems. We discuss our results in terms of their potential implications both for the epidemiology of toxoplasmosis and the neurological basis of anxiety and cognitive processes in humans and other mammals.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fatal attraction in rats infected withToxoplasma gondii

Berdoy

Webster

Macdonald

2000

Proc. R. Soc. Lond. B

661

473

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“…These infections especially affect children in developing countries and are associated with poor growth, reduced physical activity and impaired learning ability (Stephenson et al 1990;Nokes et al 1992;Adams et al 1994;Koroma et al 1996;Stoltzfus et al 1996). Regular treatment of the population at risk with a broad spectrum anti-helminthic drug has been advocated as a cheap and effective means of reducing the worm burden and its related morbidity (WHO 2002).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Soil‐transmitted helminthiasis in Myanmar and approximate costs for countrywide control

Montresor

Zin

Padmasiri

et al. 2004

Tropical Med Int Health

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SummaryPrevious surveys in Myanmar indicate that soil-transmitted helminths (STH) are a significant public health problem. However the majority of these surveys are small scale or hospital based. To date there has been no countrywide assessment of the prevalence and intensity of STH infection. We conducted a survey (June 2002-June 2003 to assess the magnitude of STH infection in school age children in each of the different ecological areas of the country. In each area, five schools were selected and from each one, 50 children were randomly chosen. Parasitological and nutritional data were collected from each child. We found an overall prevalence of infection of 69%: 18% had a moderate-heavy intensity of infection, 22% were anaemic. A pilot exercise to treat 25 000 school age children in the 200 schools of Nyangdone Township tested the strategy before scaling up and to generate some rough costings. A crude calculation of the expenditure to buy and deliver the drugs, including the costs incurred in the teacher training, concluded that the cost per child was approximately 0.05 USD.

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“…Clinically, A. lumbricoides can cause blockage of the intestine and T. trichiura has been associated with dysentery (Cooper et al 1992). Both helminths have also been associated with stunted growth (Cooper & Bundy 1988, Stephenson et al 1989, 1993, Adams et al 1994, Simeon et al 1995, Hadju et al 1996, Saldiva et al 1999) and impaired cognitive functions in children (Nokes et al 1992a, b, Oberhelman et al 1998. Another common soil transmitted helminth that causes severe morbidity and is often found with A. lumbricoides and T. trichiura infections is hookworm (WHO 1987).…”

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confidence: 99%