Toxoplasma gondii impairs memory in infected seniors

Gajewski, Patrick D.; Falkenstein, Michael; Hengstler, Jan G.; Golka, Klaus

doi:10.1016/j.bbi.2013.11.019

Cited by 81 publications

(102 citation statements)

References 29 publications

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“…We are not aware of further reports on the association of dizziness with T. gondii infection. On the other hand, the association of memory impairment with T. gondii infection found in the present study agrees with previous reports [27,28]. In a previous study in gardeners in Durango City, T. gondii seropositivity was associated with memory impairment [27].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 93%

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection and associated risk factors in Huicholes in Mexico

Alvarado‐Esquivel

Pacheco-Vega

Hernández‐Tinoco³

et al. 2014

Parasites & Vectors

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BackgroundVery little is known about the seroepidemiology of Toxoplasma gondii infection in ethnic groups in Mexico. Huicholes are an indigenous ethnic group living in a remote mountainous region in Mexico. We sought to determine the prevalence of anti-Toxoplasma IgG and IgM antibodies in Huicholes; and to determine the association of Toxoplasma seropositivity with socio-demographic, behavioral, and clinical characteristics of Huicholes.MethodsWe performed a cross sectional survey in Huicholes from September 2013 to January 2014. A convenience sampling method was used. We investigated the prevalence of anti-Toxoplasma IgG and IgM antibodies in 214 Huicholes using enzyme-linked immunoassays. A standardized questionnaire was used to obtain the characteristics of the Huicholes. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were used to assess the association of Toxoplasma exposure and Huicholes’ characteristics.ResultsOf the 214 Huicholes studied (mean age: 37.98 ± 15.80 years), 71 (33.2%) were positive for anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies and 47 (66.2%) of them were also positive for anti-T. gondii IgM antibodies. Seroprevalence of T. gondii infection did not vary with age, sex, or occupation. However, seroprevalence of anti-T. gondii IgM antibodies was significantly higher in female than in male Huicholes. Multivariate analysis of socio-demographic and behavioral characteristics showed that T. gondii exposure was associated with consumption of turkey meat (OR = 2.28; 95% CI: 1.16-4.46; P = 0.01). In addition, seroprevalence of T. gondii infection was significantly higher in Huicholes suffering from dizziness and memory impairment than those without such clinical characteristics.ConclusionsOur results demonstrate serological evidence of T. gondii exposure among Huicholes which may be impacting their health. Results of this first study of T. gondii infection in Huicholes may be useful for the design of optimal preventive measures against infection with T. gondii.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 93%

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection and associated risk factors in Huicholes in Mexico

Alvarado‐Esquivel

Pacheco-Vega

Hernández‐Tinoco³

et al. 2014

Parasites & Vectors

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“…Due to the immune system response, the membrane-enclosed parasites in the brain constitute the tissue cysts. Since the brain is the primary target organ after infection with T. gondii, various psychiatric and behavioral disorders, as well as mental illnesses, can be associated with toxoplasmosis (2,31,41). So far, the central nervous system infections have been proposed as possible etiologic factors in the development of sporadic AD.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Patients with Alzheimer’s Disease

Rashno

Fallahi

Kheirandish

et al. 2016

Arch Clin Infect Dis

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Background: Toxoplasmosis is one of the most important diseases in humans and animals. Almost one-third of the human population around the world is infected with toxoplasmosis. The agent of this parasitic disease is a protozoan called Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) that causes encephalitis in people with suppressed immune systems and abortion, mental retardation and chorioretinitis in the fetus. Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most important neurodegenerative disease. Objectives: Due to the high prevalence of toxoplasmosis in Iran and evidence on its impact on neurodegenerative diseases, this study was performed to evaluate the T. gondii infection in patients with AD. Patients and Methods:In this case-control study, after selection of alzheimer's patients (APs) referred to Imam Reza psychiatric hospital of Khorramabad, west of Iran, and healthy controls (each group consisted of 87 individuals), using the convenience sampling method and under the supervision of a neurologist, blood samples were taken during July 2014 and January 2015. The collected samples were transferred to the research laboratory of parasitology under cold chain storage and then, the serum samples were separated by centrifugation and were frozen at -20°C until use. The T. gondii IgM and IgG specific antibodies were assessed in serum samples using commercial Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) kits. Results: The overall prevalence of T. gondii infection in patients with AD and the control group, using ELISA assay, was obtained as 66.6% (58/87) and 56.32% (49/87), respectively (P = 0.99). In this study, there was no significant association between T. gondii infection and AD. On the other hand, no statistically significant difference was observed between the two groups in terms of infection with T. gondii (P = 0.99). Conclusions: Higher prevalence of T. gondii in patients with AD compared to controls showed the possible impact of this parasite in AD, which may exacerbate symptoms, and this requires special attention of specialists and patient families.

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“…53 Rapidly dividing tachyzoites characterize initial infection; however, 54 host immune responses eventually cause parasites to encyst in muscle 55 and nervous tissue, where they divide slowly as bradyzoites and may 56 persist for the lifetime of the organism [6]. Even during latent infection 57 in the CNS, T. gondii cysts can influence neuronal cell biology, including 58 neurotransmitter synthesis and signal transduction [8-10], as well as 59 synapse formation and dendritic arborization [11,12]. Moreover, para-60 sites elicit robust innate and TH 1 adaptive immune responses in the 61 CNS, where the expression of inflammatory cytokines, including inter-62 feron (IFN)-γ, has both protective and pathological effects [13,14].…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

An expanded task battery in the Morris water maze reveals effects of Toxoplasma gondii infection on learning and memory in rats

Daniels

Sestito

Rouse

2015

Parasitology International

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Toxoplasma gondii impairs memory in infected seniors

Cited by 81 publications

References 29 publications

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection and associated risk factors in Huicholes in Mexico

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection and associated risk factors in Huicholes in Mexico

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Patients with Alzheimer’s Disease

An expanded task battery in the Morris water maze reveals effects of Toxoplasma gondii infection on learning and memory in rats

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