Toxoplasma gondii-altered host behaviour: clues as to mechanism of action

Webster, Joanne P.; McConkey, Glenn A.

doi:10.14411/fp.2010.012

Cited by 132 publications

(133 citation statements)

References 76 publications

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“…As well as this 'fatal feline attraction', T. gondii infection also leads to increased activity (Hay et al, 1985;Webster, 1994) and decreased neophobic behaviour in rats (Berdoy et al, 1995;Webster et al, 1994a). The changes in host behaviour appear specific, as described in the accompanying article in this issue (Webster and McConkey, 2013) (see also Webster and McConkey, 2010). It has been reported that in rats with T. gondii infection, the attraction to cats is potentially modulated, at least in part, through the sexual arousal pathways, with activation of the posterodorsal medial amygdala to a level comparable to that observed during exposure to an oestrous female rat, indicating that the parasite may hijack this sexual attraction mechanism in order to override the rat's innate aversion to cat odour (House et al, 2011).…”

Section: Behavioural Alterations In Infected Animals and Humansmentioning

confidence: 94%

Toxoplasma gondii infection and behaviour – location, location, location?

McConkey

Martin

Bristow

et al. 2013

Journal of Experimental Biology

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SummaryParasite location has been proposed as an important factor in the behavioural changes observed in rodents infected with the protozoan Toxoplasma gondii. During the chronic stages of infection, encysted parasites are found in the brain but it remains unclear whether the parasite has tropism for specific brain regions. Parasite tissue cysts are found in all brain areas with some, but not all, prior studies reporting higher numbers located in the amygdala and frontal cortex. A stochastic process of parasite location does not, however, seem to explain the distinct and often subtle changes observed in rodent behaviour. One factor that could contribute to the specific changes is increased dopamine production by T. gondii. Recently, it was found that cells encysted with parasites in the brains of experimentally infected rodents have high levels of dopamine and that the parasite encodes a tyrosine hydroxylase, the rate-limiting enzyme in the synthesis of this neurotransmitter. A mechanism is proposed that could explain the behaviour changes due to parasite regulation of dopamine. This could have important implications for T. gondii infections in humans.

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Section: Behavioural Alterations In Infected Animals and Humansmentioning

confidence: 94%

Toxoplasma gondii infection and behaviour – location, location, location?

McConkey

Martin

Bristow

et al. 2013

Journal of Experimental Biology

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189

156

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“…It is widely accepted that T. gondii-induced behavioural changes in rodents are an example of adaptive manipulation to enhance transmission to cats (Box 1) (e.g., [2,3]). …”

Section: Toxoplasma Gondii and Behaviour -Why Question The Link?mentioning

confidence: 99%

Adaptive host manipulation by Toxoplasma gondii: fact or fiction?

Worth

Lymbery

Thompson

2013

Trends in Parasitology

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“…Apart from manipulating host mate choice, T. gondii also alters host response to predator odors (Berdoy et al, 2000;Vyas et al, 2007a;Vyas et al, 2007b;Webster and McConkey, 2010). Rats infected with T. gondii loose their natural aversion to cat odor and instead develop an attraction.…”

Section: Manipulation Of Mate Choicementioning

confidence: 99%

“…In male human volunteers, T. gondii infection is associated with a statistically non-significant increase in salivary testosterone levels (Flegr et al, 2008). In parallel, female volunteers rate portraits of infected males as being more dominant and masculine compared with uninfected males (Hodková et al, 2007b) [see review by Flegr (Flegr, 2013) for a detailed discussion of toxoplasmosis in humans].Apart from manipulating host mate choice, T. gondii also alters host response to predator odors (Berdoy et al, 2000;Vyas et al, 2007a;Vyas et al, 2007b;Webster and McConkey, 2010). Rats infected with T. gondii loose their natural aversion to cat odor and instead develop an attraction.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Parasite-augmented mate choice and reduction in innate fear in rats infected byToxoplasma gondii

Vyas

2013

Journal of Experimental Biology

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SummaryTypically, female rats demonstrate clear mate choice. Mate preference is driven by the evolutionary need to choose males with heritable parasite resistance and to prevent the transmission of contagious diseases during mating. Thus, females detect and avoid parasitized males. Over evolutionary time scales, parasite-free males plausibly evolve to advertise their status. This arrangement between males and females is obviously detrimental to parasites, especially for sexually transmitted parasites. Yet Toxoplasma gondii, a sexually transmitted parasite, gets around this obstacle by manipulating mate choice of uninfected females. Males infected with this parasite become more attractive to uninfected females. The ability of T. gondii to not only advantageously alter the behavior and physiology of its host but also secondarily alter the behavior of uninfected females presents a striking example of the ʻextended phenotypeʼ of parasites. Toxoplasma gondii also abolishes the innate fear response of rats to cat odor; this likely increases parasite transmission through the trophic route. It is plausible that these two manipulations are not two distinct phenotypes, but are rather part of a single pattern built around testosterone-mediated interplay between mate choice, parasitism and predation.Key words: anti-predator behavior, behavioral manipulation, major urinary proteins, parasitism, sexual selection, sexual transmission, trophic transmission, testosterone. In many species, females provide greater parental care and investment than males. This leads to a biased operational sex ratio, manifested as more sexually receptive males than females. As a direct result of such bias, males compete between themselves for access to females and females have the opportunity to choose from many suitors. This leads to sexual selection, resulting in evolution of male traits that are useful in fighting competitor males (intrasexual selection) and influencing mate choice of females (intersexual selection) (Andersson, 1994; Andersson and Simmons, 2006). The intra-sexual selection often results in evolution of conspicuous male phenotypes that aim to advertise and attract females (e.g. bright plumage in birds).From the perspective of this review, mechanisms driving mate choice in rats are of special interest. Several mechanisms have been proposed to explain preference of females for certain male traits.It is possible that females choose males that provide a direct and immediate benefit to the female and/or their progeny (Møller and Jennions, 2001). Relevant examples include parental care or nuptial gifts (food or material tokens transferred by male during courtship or mating). Male rats provide neither parental care nor nuptial gifts. However, it is possible that female rats choose males in order to reduce the chances of direct associative transmission of parasites or diseases (Able, 1996). That will constitute a mate choice driven by direct benefit.It is also possible that mate choice is based on indirect benefits that hinge on the gre...

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Toxoplasma gondii-altered host behaviour: clues as to mechanism of action

Cited by 132 publications

References 76 publications

Toxoplasma gondii infection and behaviour – location, location, location?

Toxoplasma gondii infection and behaviour – location, location, location?

Adaptive host manipulation by Toxoplasma gondii: fact or fiction?

Parasite-augmented mate choice and reduction in innate fear in rats infected byToxoplasma gondii

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