Diseases Caused by and Behaviors Associated with <i>Toxoplasma gondii</i> Infection
<i>Toxoplasma gondii</i> is an Apicomplexan parasite that is estimated to infect at least one-third of the global human population. <i>T. gondii</i> infection may be transmitted horizontally or vertically. The main risk factors for transmission to humans are related to diet,...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2024-11-01
|
| Series: | Pathogens |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/13/11/968 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1850068244130430976 |
|---|---|
| author | Ginger K. H. Akins João M. Furtado Justine R. Smith |
| author_facet | Ginger K. H. Akins João M. Furtado Justine R. Smith |
| author_sort | Ginger K. H. Akins |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <i>Toxoplasma gondii</i> is an Apicomplexan parasite that is estimated to infect at least one-third of the global human population. <i>T. gondii</i> infection may be transmitted horizontally or vertically. The main risk factors for transmission to humans are related to diet, especially the consumption of undercooked meat, along with soil contact. In immunocompetent persons, the acute infection may go undetected as it typically produces minor, non-specific symptoms that are self-limited. After infection is established, recurrent retinochoroiditis is the most common clinical disease. In contrast, severe systemic or cerebral toxoplasmosis may be life-threatening for immunocompromised individuals. Furthermore, congenital toxoplasmosis acquired in utero may have devastating consequences if not recognized and promptly treated. A growing body of research has identified associations between latent <i>T. gondii</i> infection, and personality traits and risk-taking behaviors. Other studies have documented associations between latent infection and psychiatric conditions that include schizophrenia and bipolar affective disorder. With no current treatment regimens being curative of <i>T. gondii</i> infection, effective prevention measures at both the public health and individual levels are vitally important. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-711dd2532336485eaa19d8068da1f424 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2076-0817 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-11-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Pathogens |
| spelling | doaj-art-711dd2532336485eaa19d8068da1f4242025-08-20T02:48:07ZengMDPI AGPathogens2076-08172024-11-01131196810.3390/pathogens13110968Diseases Caused by and Behaviors Associated with <i>Toxoplasma gondii</i> InfectionGinger K. H. Akins0João M. Furtado1Justine R. Smith2College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Bedford Park, Adelaide, SA 5042, AustraliaDivision of Ophthalmology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo 14049-900, BrazilCollege of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Bedford Park, Adelaide, SA 5042, Australia<i>Toxoplasma gondii</i> is an Apicomplexan parasite that is estimated to infect at least one-third of the global human population. <i>T. gondii</i> infection may be transmitted horizontally or vertically. The main risk factors for transmission to humans are related to diet, especially the consumption of undercooked meat, along with soil contact. In immunocompetent persons, the acute infection may go undetected as it typically produces minor, non-specific symptoms that are self-limited. After infection is established, recurrent retinochoroiditis is the most common clinical disease. In contrast, severe systemic or cerebral toxoplasmosis may be life-threatening for immunocompromised individuals. Furthermore, congenital toxoplasmosis acquired in utero may have devastating consequences if not recognized and promptly treated. A growing body of research has identified associations between latent <i>T. gondii</i> infection, and personality traits and risk-taking behaviors. Other studies have documented associations between latent infection and psychiatric conditions that include schizophrenia and bipolar affective disorder. With no current treatment regimens being curative of <i>T. gondii</i> infection, effective prevention measures at both the public health and individual levels are vitally important.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/13/11/968<i>Toxoplasma gondii</i>ocular toxoplasmosiscerebral toxoplasmosiscongenital toxoplasmosispersonalityrisky behavior |
| spellingShingle | Ginger K. H. Akins João M. Furtado Justine R. Smith Diseases Caused by and Behaviors Associated with <i>Toxoplasma gondii</i> Infection Pathogens <i>Toxoplasma gondii</i> ocular toxoplasmosis cerebral toxoplasmosis congenital toxoplasmosis personality risky behavior |
| title | Diseases Caused by and Behaviors Associated with <i>Toxoplasma gondii</i> Infection |
| title_full | Diseases Caused by and Behaviors Associated with <i>Toxoplasma gondii</i> Infection |
| title_fullStr | Diseases Caused by and Behaviors Associated with <i>Toxoplasma gondii</i> Infection |
| title_full_unstemmed | Diseases Caused by and Behaviors Associated with <i>Toxoplasma gondii</i> Infection |
| title_short | Diseases Caused by and Behaviors Associated with <i>Toxoplasma gondii</i> Infection |
| title_sort | diseases caused by and behaviors associated with i toxoplasma gondii i infection |
| topic | <i>Toxoplasma gondii</i> ocular toxoplasmosis cerebral toxoplasmosis congenital toxoplasmosis personality risky behavior |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/13/11/968 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT gingerkhakins diseasescausedbyandbehaviorsassociatedwithitoxoplasmagondiiiinfection AT joaomfurtado diseasescausedbyandbehaviorsassociatedwithitoxoplasmagondiiiinfection AT justinersmith diseasescausedbyandbehaviorsassociatedwithitoxoplasmagondiiiinfection |