1 research outputs found
New, previously unreported correlations between latent Toxoplasma gondii infection and excessive ethanol consumption
<p>A number of
world literature reports indicate that a latent <i>Toxoplasma gondii</i> infection leads to development of central nervous
system disorders, which in turn may lead to altered behavior in the affected
individuals. <i>T. gondii </i>infection
has been observed to play the greatest role in drivers, suicides, and
psychiatric patients. Studies conducted for this manuscript involve a
different, never before really reported correlation between latent <i>T. gondii</i> infection and ethanol
abuse. A total of 538 decedents with a known cause of death were included in
the study. These individuals were divided into three groups: the risky behavior
group, inconclusively risky behavior group, and control group. The criterion
for this division was the likely effect of the individual’s behavior on the
mechanism and cause of his/her death. The material used for analyses were blood
samples collected during routine medico-legal examinations in these cases. The
blood samples were used to measure anti-<i>Toxoplasma</i>
IgG antibodies with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Moreover, the
following data were recorded for each decedent: sex, age, circumstances of
death, cause of death, time from death to autopsy, and (if provided) substance
abuse status (alcohol, illicit drugs). In those cases where blood alcohol level
or toxicology tests were requested by the Prosecutor’s Office, their results
were also included in our analysis. Test results demonstrated a strong
correlation between chronic <i>Toxoplasma
gondii</i> infestation and engaging in risky behaviors leading to death. Moreover,
analyses demonstrated a positive correlation between the presence of anti-<i>T. gondii</i> IgG antibodies and
psychoactive substance (especially ethanol) abuse, however, the causal
relationship remains unclear. Due to the fact that alcohol abuse constitutes a
significant social problem, searching for eliminable risk factors for
dependence is extremely important. Our analyses provided new important
information on the possible effects of latent <i>T. gondii</i> infection in humans. </p