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Scientists say that a certain parasite, which is carried by almost half of people in the world, has a significant impact on the functioning of our body. On the one hand, it can cause some mental illnesses, on the other, it increases our attractiveness. It’s a protozoan that causes toxoplasmosis.
- Toxoplasmosis is a zoonotic disease that is most common in the world. Most of us have had contact with the protozoan that causes it
- The disease is dangerous for people with reduced immunity and for women in the first months of pregnancy
- It turns out, however, that toscoplasmosis has its “prettier” side
- More information can be found on the Onet homepage
Protozoan affects the psyche and more
Studies have shown that a mouse or rat that has been diagnosed with toxoplasmosis is suicidal. The parasite blocks the rodent’s nervous system so that it does not feel the fear of the cat’s odor and becomes an easier victim.
Scientists also associate protozoan infection in people with schizophrenia and psychotic episodes, i.e. mental disorders that start suddenly and progress rapidly (e.g. delusions, hallucinations).
According to a recent study by a team led by Javier Borráz-León from the University of Turku in Finland, people infected with toxoplasma are judged to be more attractive, symmetrical and healthier than the uninfected. Why is this happening?
“Toxoplasma gondii manipulates the phenotypic characteristics of its intermediate hosts to spread more easily,” comments the scientist.
Phenotypic features are, for example, height, hair color, eye color, blood type, but also disease tendency.
It may seem a bit ridiculous, but if you consider the goal the parasite is trying to achieve, it makes sense. After all, he wants his victims to attract new and more victims. Thanks to this, it increases the chance of survival and gaining new places where it can freely feed.
People infected with toxoplasmosis have more testosterone?
The study found that men infected with toxoplasmosis had higher levels of testosterone, but it was not fully known whether it was the result or the cause of the infection with this protozoan itself. Testosterone is one of the most important male sex hormones that affects male fertility and sexuality. It also plays an important role in women because it allows the body to function properly.
The researchers therefore compared 35 people (22 men and 13 women) infected with the protozoan with 178 people (86 men and 92 women) who were not detected. Their visual qualities were assessed, and detailed physical measurements were made, e.g. body weight. They also completed the questionnaire. As it turned out? Well, the infected were characterized by greater facial symmetry. They also seemed healthier. Women infected with toxoplasmosis were leaner and had a lower BMI than uninfected women. Moreover, they assessed themselves better and declared a greater number of sexual partners. To confirm these results, the scientists independently asked 205 people for a visual assessment of the subjects. They have received confirmation. The carriers were indeed perceived as prettier and more attractive. Why is this happening? It is believed that this micro parasite accelerates metabolism and affects the functioning of the endocrine system. These are the first results, of course, and scientists will certainly be exploring the topic, but it is already suggesting that carrier changes our face and body to our advantage.
Protozoan causing toxoplasmosis
Toxoplasmosis is caused by Toxoplasma gondii. It lives in various developmental forms in the digestive tract of cats and in the organs of nearly 200 species of mammals and some birds. The human (intermediate host) becomes infected most often by eating uncooked or raw meat. The source of infection may also be unwashed fruit and vegetables or contact with water contaminated with cat faeces. In the body, they are formed in various tissues, e.g. in the heart muscle, brain or skeletal muscles, the so-called cysts. Feline animals are the ultimate host of this protozoan. This is where the parasite multiplies. The infected animal excretes in the faeces within 1-3 weeks, the so-called oocysts that are infectious for more than a year.
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Toxoplasmosis – symptoms
Most often, the symptoms of the disease in humans are very slight or absent. They look like the flu. These are:
- muscle pain
- headache
- subfebrile condition
- swollen lymph nodes around the head
They can also be more serious. These include anemia, encephalitis, meningitis, liver, lung, myocarditis and spleen enlargement.
This disease is especially dangerous for women in the first trimester of pregnancy. It can result in a newborn baby with hydrocephalus, convulsions, low birth weight, intracranial calcification, and retinitis.
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