Influence of chronic toxoplasmosis on some human personality factors.
An effect of parasites on host behaviour was tested on the toxoplasma-human model. Three hundred and thirty-eight (338) people were assessed with Cattell's personality questionnaire and then tested for Toxoplasma gondii infection with a delayed type hypersensitivity test for Toxoplasma. A highly significant correlation between chronic toxoplasmosis and two personality factors (G-Low Superego Strength and L-Protension) was found (p = 0.0032 and 0.0020, respectively). A correlation of the intensity of the personality factor-shifts with the duration of the infection (estimated from antibody titer) suggests that toxoplasmosis induces the shift in human personality, rather than the personality factors G and L influence an acquisition rate of Toxoplasma gondii infection.
Flegr
J
J
Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic.
Hrdý
I
I
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000097:blood; D002416:Cattell Personality Factor Questionnaire; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006968:Hypersensitivity, Delayed; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010551:Personality; D012737:Sex Factors; D014122:Toxoplasma / Q000276:immunology; D014123:Toxoplasmosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000523:psychology*
D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan