Studies published to date have failed to link the cat parasite Toxoplasma to the risk of schizophrenia. Compared to other factors, the effect of toxoplasmosis is minimal. Mikhail Lebedev, a leading expert and head of the scientific and information support group for medical institutions of the Center for Molecular Diagnostics (CMD) of the Central Epidemiological Research Institute of the Federal Budgetary Institution Rospotrebnadzor, told socialbites.ca.
In December 2023, scientists from the University of Queensland found that 25-year-old cat owners were twice as likely to develop schizophrenia compared to non-cat owners. The study’s authors link this to toxoplasmosis, an infection caused by the “cat” parasite. Toxoplasma gondii. However, doctor Lebedev noted that the study did not prove a cause-effect relationship.
“All studies that detect a link between toxoplasma and any mental illness are single-stage, that is, the collected data are processed once. Thanks to such studies, a certain correlation can be seen, but a cause-effect relationship cannot be seen. In order to talk clearly and safely about a risk factor it is necessary to observe a certain group of patients for a long time.Since schizophrenia is a rather rare disease and affects about 1% of the population, to obtain reliable statistical results it is necessary to observe tens (or even hundreds of thousands) of people regularly, exposing them to the risk of both the development of toxoplasmosis and the development of mental disorders. It is necessary to check it,” he told Gazeta. Ru” Lebedev.
The expert emphasized that data from existing studies show that even if toxoplasmosis is considered a risk factor for schizophrenia, its impact is minimal compared to other factors (heredity, social status, profession, etc.).
“20-40 percent of humanity is infected with toxoplasma. In healthy people without immune system disorders, Toxoplasma exists in a latent form in the body without causing any harm. Lebedev noted that toxoplasmosis is dangerous for newborns born to a mother infected during pregnancy and for people with immunodeficiency.
Toxoplasma changes a variety of hosts throughout its life cycle; The definitive host is cats, which become infected by eating prey, mostly rodents. Toxoplasma multiplies in the cat’s intestines. But Lebedev warned that a person usually becomes infected not from cats, but through soil, water, sandbox in the garden, as well as contaminated and undercooked meat, unwashed fruits and vegetables. Therefore, it is important to comply with hygiene rules, including for pets.
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Source: Gazeta
Barbara Dickson is a seasoned writer for “Social Bites”. She keeps readers informed on the latest news and trends, providing in-depth coverage and analysis on a variety of topics.