Scientists Discover How Toxoplasma From Cats Affects Your Brain

Among organisms that can be transmitted from animals to humans is the parasite that causes toxoplasmosis. Swedish researchers have for the first time described how Toxoplasma gondii from cats affects the human brain.

Up to half of the world's population is infected by this parasite, according to Medical News Today. Toxoplasmosis is the disease resulting from this single-celled parasite. A team from the Karolinska Institutet published results that could prove important to risk-taking, other human behaviors, and issues related to mental illness.

The most common way for humans to become infected with the parasite is eating improperly cooked meat. The illness is the number one cause of death related to foodborne illness in the United States.

Toxoplasmosis is also a zoonotic disease, one transmitted by animals to humans. The Mayo Clinic says that while the disease causes flu-like symptoms in some people, most never show any symptoms. A positive test can mean either prior exposure to the parasite or current illness.

Toxoplasmosis from cats comes only as the result of indirect contact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. People become infected with Toxoplasma gondii by the spores that proliferate in cat litter or in soil where cats have been.

The immune system of most people stops the parasite from making them sick. Once it enters the brain of fetuses or people with compromised immune systems, however, it can kill. As a result, pregnant women should not touch cat litter boxes.

Prior research has noted the increased incidence of toxoplasmosis in individuals with mental disorders like schizophrenia, depression, and anxiety. The Swedish researchers found that once the parasite reaches the brain, it takes over one of the neurotransmitters, chemical messengers that transport signals to portions of the brain.

When they introduced the parasite to human dendritic cells, important to the functioning of the immune system, the cells began to secrete a chemical messenger known as GABA. Using live mice, the scientists tracked infected dendritic cells from the point of infection to other sections of the brain, where they kept on affecting the GABA system.

GABA inhibits fear and anxiety in humans. Patients with illnesses like schizophrenia, bipolar illnesses, anxiety syndrome, and depression have disturbances in GABA systems. The researchers were extremely surprised at the parasite's ability to cause cells to secrete GABA. They concluded that further studies would be worthwhile to learn more about a connection involving toxoplasma parasites, GABA systems, and major public health threats.

For many years, I have taken immunosuppressants to treat Crohn's disease. As a cat rescuer, I have had several animals in my home that tested positive for this parasite. Learning how toxoplasma from cats affects the brain enforces the need to follow meticulously the precautions -- gloves, a mask, and ammonia when necessary -- my doctor has advised when handling litter boxes.

Vonda J. Sines has published thousands of print and online health and medical articles. She specializes in diseases and other conditions that affect the quality of life.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/scientists-discover-toxoplasma-cats-affects-brain-231000778.html

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