Special Issue of Folia Parasitologica. Effects of Latent Toxoplasmosis: Three Decades of Studies
This year marks the 30th anniversary of three landmark publications on latent toxoplasmosis: one on its impact on human psychology (Folia Parasitologica 41: 122-126, 1994) and two seminal studies that launched research into its effect on animal behavior (Parasitology 109: 37-43, 583-589, 1994). Over three decades, research in these areas has grown substantially, leading to hundreds of studies on the influence of latent toxoplasmosis on animal and human behavior and mental health.
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Key discoveries include the phenomenon of fatal attraction, where infected hosts, both animal and possibly human, are drawn to the scent of definitive hosts of Toxoplasma, felines. Researchers have also identified unique genes in the Toxoplasma genome that encode enzymes for dopamine synthesis, which the parasite uses to manipulate host behavior. Other major findings include Toxoplasma's effect on testosterone levels in infected males, its influence on sexual behavior, and its impact on sex ratios in offspring. Studies have shown that latent toxoplasmosis - once considered asymptomatic - has serious implications for both mental and physical health. It has been linked to various mental disorders and physical illnesses, including COVID-19. This special issue features narrative reviews by leading researchers and original articles on how latent toxoplasmosis affects host phenotype, including behavior. It highlights the progress made in this field and aims to stimulate future research into the diverse effects of latent toxoplasmosis.
Guest Editors:
- Jaroslav Flegr
Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
- Ivan Fiala
Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
Torrey E.F. 2024: The linking of toxoplasmosis and schizophrenia. Special Issue on Toxoplasmosis. Folia Parasitol. 71: 016 doi: 10.14411/fp.2024.016
Vyas A. 2024: Nuts and bolts of the behavioural manipulation by Toxoplasma gondii. Special Issue on Toxoplasmosis. Folia Parasitol. 71: 017. doi: 10.14411/fp.2024.017
