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Abstract
Toxoplasmosis, caused by the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii, is one of the most
common parasitic infections of men, women and other warm-blooded animals. It has been
found world-wide from Alaska to Australia. Nearly one-third of humanity has been exposed
to this parasite. In most adults it does not cause serious illness, but it can cause blindness and
although its prevalence varies widely from place to place. In the United States and the United
Kingdom, it is estimated that 16–40% of the population are infected, where as in Central and
South America and continental Europe, estimates of infection range from 50 to 80%. The
socio-economic impact of toxoplasmosis in human suffering and the cost of care of sick
children, are enormous. The testing of all pregnant women for T. gondii infection is routine in
some European countries, including France and Austria. The cost-benefit of such mass
screening is being debated in many other countries. Toxoplasma gondii has emerged as an
research on schizophrenia has focused almost exclusively on bacteria and viruses, but
Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan. Other protozoa known to chronically infect human brain
tissue and causes behavioural changes include Plasmodium and Trypanosoma. Toxoplasma
gondii has a known effect on the developing fetal central nervous system when it infects
Infection with the protozoan Toxoplasma gondii is one of the most common parasitic
infections of man and other warm-blooded animals. It has been found worldwide in nearly
one-third of the human population. In most adults it does not cause serious illness, however,
blindness and mental illness can result in congenitally infected children and severe disease in
those with depressed immunity. Toxoplasmosis, until recently, was not considered
uncooked meat containing viable tissue cysts or by ingesting food or water contaminated with
oocysts from the feces of infected cats. Circumstantial evidence suggests that oocyst-induced
infections in humans are clinically more severe than tissue cyst-acquired infections.
of Health, Bethesda, USA. In several of its hosts, Toxoplasma gondii is associated with
congenital infection and abortion. In addition, Toxoplasma gondii can cause encephalitis or
information on the biology of Toxoplasma gondii infections in humans and animals and
examines possible importance of transmission. The information will provide a brief overview
of the causes, symptoms, effects, immune reaction/response, and treatment of a host infected
by the parasitic infection. A basic understanding of these aspects will help appreciate how the
life cycle fits into the overall biology of the parasite and the technical aspects of studying it.
with the causes of the infection of Toxoplasma gondii sporozoites or tachyzoites leading to
the rapid spread throughout the whole body. How the symptoms and effects of Toxoplasma
gondii can provide early warning signals of the parasite infection, an insight to the link with
schizophrenia and how other organs of the body with abnormalities may occur if the host is
infected for a long period of time. With the Immune response. immune reaction,
pathophysiology, immunology and the antibiotics used to counter the parasite. Then finally
move on to the treatment and immunisation with patients who suffer from Toxoplasma gondii
along with patients who have compromised immune systems, human immunodeficiency
virus, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome or ocular disease. This entire article will provide
as much detail from gathered sources of approved research through many of the medical
scientists and practitioners who conducted these experiments and an insight of discussion and
Causes:
gondii is one of the world's most common parasites infecting most animals (more than 30
species of birds and 300 species of mammals), and it is the most prevalent infection in
humans (estimated to be 30–50% of the world population). The parasite has received
immunocompromised individuals.
Cats are important in the natural life cycle of Toxoplasma gondii because they are the only
hosts that can directly spread Toxoplasma gondii in the environment. This is because
although Toxoplasma gondii’s life cycle has both sexual and asexual phases, the sexual life
cycle only occurs in cats (definitive hosts of the parasite). In the cat stomach the parasite
differentiates into male and female gametocytes allowing sexual reproduction. Infected cats
host. They are called intermediate hosts and it’s where the asexual phase of the parasite’s life
cycle occurs. The parasite divides into two daughter cells through the endodyogeny process,
where two daughter cells form within the mother cell, which will dissolve when the daughter
There are three major ways of acquiring Toxoplasma gondii infection for both definitive and
Food-borne infection is most commonly caused by the ingestion of undercooked meat but it
can also occur by accidental ingestion of soil that contains T. gondii oocysts as a result of
unwashed fruit and vegetables or by drinking water that is contaminated with oocysts. Eating
raw, undercooked or cured meat (beef, lamb or other meats) contributes to between 30 per
cent and 63 per cent of infections, and soil contact contributes up to 17 per cent of infections.
The zoonotic transmission occurs when humans have contact with the Toxoplasma gondii
oocytes that are shed from the faeces of infected cats into the environment or a litter box. For
this reason contaminated litter boxes are a concern for pregnant women, as an infection
during pregnancy can result in the transmission of the parasite to the fetus. This condition is
called congenital toxoplasmosis and can cause severe neurological and ocular diseases in
children. In Europe, congenital toxoplasmosis affects between one and 10 in 10,000 newborn
babies, of whom one to two per cent develop learning difficulties or die and four to 27 per
cent develop permanent vision impairment.(Cook A et al, British Medical Journal, 2000).
Although rare, there are other ways the transmission of the parasite can occur. Exposure of
children playing in sandpits, transmission during organ transplants or blood transfusion are a
few of them. Poor hygiene, lower socioeconomic status and less education may also
Symptoms/Effects:
Effects of Toxoplasma?
A strange thing happens to a part of the Brain Called Amygdala which is a part of
the brain which is linked to fear and anxiety, turns fear into desire!
The parasite Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) may invade the brain and might induce
organs during the acute stage, the parasite forms cysts preferentially in the brain and
establishes a chronic infection, which is a balance between host immunity and the
astrocytes and neurons, can be infected. In vitro studies using non-brain cells have
including molecules that promote the immune response and those involved in signal
transduction pathways, suggesting that similar effects could occur in infected brain
gondii, genetic factors of the host, and probably the route of infection and the stage
(tachyzoite, cyst, or oocyst) of the parasite initiating infection all contribute to the
establishment of a balance between the host and the parasite and affect the outcome of the
infection.
Twenty-four hours post infection, by which time the parasite has replicated 2–4 times,
related to apoptosis, antimicrobial effector system, and immune cell maturation. The
phosphatase 2C released from rhoptries of tachyzoites into the host nucleus will likely
transcriptional manipulation. Similar studies on brain cells have not been reported, T.
Congenital Toxoplasmosis
when contracted just before or during pregnancy it can lead to miscarriage, still births and
malaise, low-grade pyrexia, and myalgias. (Wolf and Cowen (1937). Around 1,000 to 10,000
new-borns are infected each year across Europe. The risk of having an infant with symptoms
at birth or later in childhood is 60% with maternal seroconversion at 12 weeks gestation and
decreases to 5% or less with seroconversion after 36 weeks gestation (R.E Gilbert, 2000). 1%
-2% of fetus die or develop learning disabilities and a further 4%-17% develop impaired
vision. The controlled study shows the risk factors with undercooked meat products being the
main contributor and cats, kittens and litter boxes not being a risk factor. Transmitting
through breastfeeding has not been reported. (Guerina NG, Hsu HW, Meissner HC, Maguire
Cases Controls
Meat
Cooked meat 27 7 79 18
†
<1/week
† 212 725
Cooked meat ≥1/week
† 22 210 60 745
Raw sausage <1/week
† 9 8
Raw sausage ≥1/week
† 76 47 297 187
Salami <1/week
† 125 335
Salami ≥1/week
Table 1
Risk factors for Toxoplasma gondii infection adjusted for age, location, and period between
diagnosis of infection and interview in 252 infected women and 852 control women*
· ↵* Numbers do not always add up to total as some women did not answer all questions.
· ↵† Compared with no exposure in past four months.
· χ2 test for trend across all five levels of exposure (never, exposed but not in past four
months, monthly, weekly, or daily):
· ↵‡P<0.01;
· ↵§ P<0.001.
Screening
undetected. If postnatal screening is carried out, then an early diagnosis can help with
Daffos F 2000) According to (Esklid, Oxman, Mangus, 1996) Screening for the antibodies
has been a debate by clinician for the past 30 years, screening depend on the magnitude of
infected new-born’s per country. France introduced screening after 55% of babies were tested
positive for the infection. Toxoplasmosis is generally a rare disease in Ireland when
reported to be as high as 70% in some regions of France but it is only around 19% (Dublin) to
40% (midlands) in Ireland. This is the main reason why routine screening is worthwhile in
France and not in Ireland. ( Katherine Elliott, Maeve O’Connor, Julie Whealen 2009).
Immune Reaction/Response:
Immune Response
The immune response to the pathogenic disease known as Toxoplasma gondii has an
immediate effect upon entering the body of a host, where the immune system goes into active
alert when our white blood cells, primarily T helper cells alert B-lymphocytes which is
another type of mature white blood cell. (Wyler, D. J. 2004) These two cells are memory
cells and plasma cells. Once the disease enters the body, it travels within the blood which
induces high levels of Gamma Interferon. Gamma Interferon is a dimerized soluble cytokine
which is part of a group of signalling proteins such as hormones made and released by host
cells in response to the presence of several viruses. Cytokines are primarily secreted by
certain cells of the immune system and have an effect on other cells. (Wyler, D. J. 2004)
murine model of toxoplasmosis. Mice that received anti-IFN-gamma antibody and immune
spleen cells all died to toxoplasmosis after the challenge with Toxoplasma tachyzoites, in
contrast, mice that receive normal IgG which is an antibody called “Gamma” and the immune
spleen cells all survive the infection. The protective activity of immune T cells, previously
shown to be the principal mediators of resistance against toxoplasma in mice was completely
ablated by the anti-IFN-gamma mAb. These results suggest that IFN-gamma is the major
immunity. When IFN gamma production is disturbed, various autoimmune diseases can
develop, in which we suggest that anti-IFN gamma could have a beneficial effect.
Tachyzoites are rapidly multiplying stage in the development of the tissue phase of certain
Immune Reaction
killer cells this activation is to inhibit parasite proliferation due to its cytotoxic action to
trigger a specific immune response due to the antigens which are part of the disease. The job
of macrophages is detecting, engulfing and destroying pathogens while natural killer cells
play a major role in the host rejection of both tumours and virally infected cells. (Denis
Filisette and Ermmano Candolfi, 2004) Since antigens are a toxin or other foreign substance
which induces an immune response the word cytotoxin explains itself as a cell with toxin.
CD4+ (T-helper Cells) and CD8+ (Natural Killer Cells) are the main cells involved with
populations; Th1 and Th2 meaning T-helper cells 1 and 2 this distinction is based on the list
lesions when they disintegrate, due to the delayed type of hypersensitivity accompanying
infections. In the presence of immunity, the released bradyzoites which are a slowly
hey become destroyed, but when the protective immunity fails, the
Toxoplasma gondii. T
bradyzoites can develop again into actively multiplying tachyzoites which are enclosed
within a pseudocyst of parasite and host origin. (J.K Frenkel, 1988) They can parasitize and
destroy cells in expanding foci meaning foci is one of the most frequent findings in cerebral
magnetic resonance imaging when it comes to brain scanning in an MRI machine. (U.
Immunology
While increasing numbers of patients suffering from immune deficiencies the varying
radiological appearances of infectious brain lesions is becoming more important. The true
patients. During the period of profound leukopenia the patients are at high risk of
opportunistic infection and do not show typical signs of cerebral infection clinically or
radiologically.
Acute acquired toxoplasma infection in a pregnant woman may result in a tragic outcome for
her offspring transmission to the fetus has been limited almost solely to those women who
acquire the infection during gestation. The dictum has been that women infected before
conception are at virtually no risk unless they are severely immunocompromised by drugs
they receive during pregnancy. Recently increasing numbers of pregnant women who are
coinfected with HIV which is a sexual transmitted disease and also toxoplasma gondii and
whose immune deficiencies cause reactivation of T.gondii infection leading to dual infections
of the offspring have been recognised. All of these events occur in the setting of a
preventable infection and disease. (Sin-Yew Wong and Jack S. Remington, 1994)
cannot destroy the tissue cysts and may not be able to eradicate actively dividing parasites if
the presence of acute T.gondii infection in pregnant woman is confirmed. Antibiotics are
used to treat clinical disease/ Antibiotics do not destroy the bradyzoites and do not eliminate
infections. Pyrimethamine with triple sulpha drugs has given good results. It has been
reported that oocyst shedding in toxoplasma infected cats was reduced with combination of
pyrimethamine and Sulphadiazine. Antibiotics are used to treat clinical disease also
antibiotics do not destroy the bradyzoites and do not eliminate infections. Pyrimethamine
with triple sulpha drugs has given good results. It has been reported that oocyst shedding in
TREATMENT
Most healthy people recover from Toxoplasmosis without treatment because Toxoplasmosis
does not always require treatment, especially in healthy individuals. In certain situations,
The doctor may recommend treatment with medications such as pyrimethamine (Daraprim)
and sulfadiazine. However, symptoms will often clear up without the need for treatment.
It may also be recommended that you take folic acid during treatment, as pyrimethamine may
interrupt absorption of the mineral folate. Side effects of the medication include
If you have HIV/AIDS, the treatment of choice for toxoplasmosis is also pyrimethamine and
If you're pregnant and infected with toxoplasmosis, treatment may vary depending on where
If infection occurred before the 16th week of pregnancy, you may receive the antibiotic
spiramycin. Use of this drug may reduce your baby's risk of neurological problems from
has toxoplasmosis, you may be given pyrimethamine and sulfadiazine and folinic acid
(leucovorin). Your doctor will help you determine the optimal treatment.
Persons with ocular toxoplasmosis are sometimes prescribed medicine to treat active disease
of the eye lesion, the location, and the characteristics of the lesion (acute active, versus
Persons with compromised immune systems need to be treated until they have improvement
in their condition. For AIDS patients, it may be necessary to continue medication for the
recommend treatment with pyrimethamine and sulfadiazine. This does not eliminate the
This treatment is reserved for extreme cases of the infection that occur after week 16 of
pregnancy, due to the potential for serious side effects in the mother and fetus. Once born,
infants can be treated with a regimen including pyrimethamine, sulfadiazine, and folic
acid.
· Do you own or care for a cat? Who changes the litter box?
· Do you have conditions or take medications that affect your immune system?
Prevention
· Cooking all meat thoroughly and washing hands and utensils after handling raw meat .
· Use gloves when emptying cat litter trays. Trays can be disinfected with boiling water.
Eggs need over 24 hours to become infectious after being passed in the faeces, so clean
· Cats should be fed dry, canned or cooked food. Discourage pet cats from hunting. Since
eating rodents and birds infects cats, pet cats that do not hunt will not be exposed and do
not pose a risk to their owners. Even if a cat does become exposed, it only sheds infective
Conclusion
Toxoplasmosis is a risk factor for many neurological disorders, and thus this infection has to
be taken into consideration when developing strategies for preventing or delaying the onset
of various brain diseases. There is a number of simple strategies to decrease the risk of
infection among healthy people. They include avoiding the consumption of raw or
undercooked meat (among humans, this is the most common way of getting infected), as
well as general basic food handling safety practices. It is important to mention here that not
all researchers believe that T. gondii infection really affects human behavior or the risk of
diseases to any significant degree. Some recently published studies indicate that these risks
are very small, and the previously published correlations with various behavioral changes
Discussion
it triggers an immediate immune response from that where the white blood cells known as
leukocytes engage in targeting the antigen of the parasite with the help of an administration
of normal IgG antibodies rather than IFN-gamma mAb antibodies to prevent fatal death due
to the tachyzoites of the infectious stages of Toxoplasma gondii. The protective activity of
Toxoplasma gondii. Since IFN-gamma mAb antibodies caused death upon test mice who
were infected by Toxoplasma gondii, it was due to the IFN gamma production being
killer cells this activation is to inhibit parasite proliferation” due to its cytotoxic action to trigger
a specific immune response. If that can be suppressed it will disrupt the proliferation of
Toxoplasma gondii and can be easier to treat patients with the proper medication and
primary care. Targeting the parasites antigens and cytokine release can stop the rapid
References
Karen Sugden
* E-mail: karen.sugden@duke.edu
Affiliations Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, North
Carolina, United States of America, Duke Center for Genomic & Computational Biology,
Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
Terrie E. Moffitt
Affiliations Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, North
Carolina, United States of America, Duke Center for Genomic & Computational Biology,
Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America, Department of
Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, School of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, North
Carolina, United States of America, Social, Genetic, and Developmental Psychiatry Centre,
Institute of Psychiatry, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
Lauriane Pinto
Affiliation Duke Center for Genomic & Computational Biology, Duke University, Durham,
North Carolina, United States of America
Richie Poulton
Affiliation Department of Psychology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
Benjamin S. Williams
Affiliations Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, North
Carolina, United States of America, Duke Center for Genomic & Computational Biology,
Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
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