Revealed the main danger cats to humans
An international group of scientists found that Toxoplasma gondii is transmitted from cats to humans the parasite causes changes in the brain, which can exacerbate neurological diseases. Article researchers published in the journal Scientific Reports. It is reported by Gizmodo.
According to experts, toxoplasmosis can be infected up to half the world’s population. In the United States and Russia, the number of infected reaches 23 and 20 percent, respectively. It is known that the parasite into the brain of mice causes a loss of fear of rodents, to cats, making them easy prey. The result of T. gondii spread among Pets and can be transmitted to owners. Toxoplasmosis is usually easily tolerated, but in pregnant women it can cause serious complications.
It is believed that Toxoplasma gondii can modify the behavior of the people, promoting their attachment to the cats, however, this assumption is seen by some scholars as controversial. At the same time there is evidence of the impact of the parasite on the human brain.
Experts analyzed data collected during a large-scale study in the National Collaborative Chicago-Based Congenital Toxoplasmosis Study. It was attended by 246 people infected with toxoplasmosis. Their brain has been monitored since 1981. It was also evaluated the influence of the parasite on the culture of neural cells, the activity of their genes and the synthesis of proteins.
It appeared that T. gondii contributed to changes in neural connections characteristic of Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s, epilepsy and certain types of cancer. The parasite also affects the olfactory receptors, that can make the smell of cat urine less unpleasant.