Epidemiological evidences from China assume that psychiatric-related diseases may be associated with Toxoplasma gondii infection.
In recent years, the effect of Toxoplasma gondii infection on psychiatric-related aspects has been increasingly recognized. T. gondii has a high affinity for brain tissue where tachyzoites may form tissue cysts and persist life long. In recent years, 15 serological surveys about T. gondii infection and psychiatric diseases have been carried out in different areas in China. Studies showed that the prevalence of antibodies against T. gondii in psychotic patients was much higher than in normal persons; statistically differences were significant. Studies also reported that raising cats or enjoying the habit of eating raw or under cooked meet were potential risk factors for the infection of T. gondii. The epidemiological and serological evidence support the hypothesis that some psychiatric diseases such as schizophrenia or mental retardation might be linked to T. gondii infection.
Zhu
Sha
S
School of Basic Medicine, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, P.R. China. zsha@zzu.edu.cn
Guo
Mao-Feng
MF
Feng
Qing-Chuan
QC
Fan
Jian-Ming
JM
Zhang
Long-Xian
LX
D000818:Animals; D002415:Cats; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D005843:Geography; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D014123:Toxoplasmosis / Q000453:epidemiology*