Toxoplasma-induced Behavioral Changes: An Aspecific Consequence of Neuroinflammation

Trends Parasitol. 2020 Apr;36(4):317-318. doi: 10.1016/j.pt.2020.01.005. Epub 2020 Feb 8.

Abstract

A key strategy that many parasites use to facilitate transmission involves behavioral modification of their hosts. Toxoplasma gondii has been taken as an example for this strategy. A recent study by Boillat et al. reported that attraction to predator odor following Toxoplasma infection is not specific to felines.

Keywords: Toxoplasma gondii; behaviors; cyst burden; inflammation; predator avoidance.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Host-Parasite Interactions / physiology*
  • Inflammation / etiology*
  • Inflammation / parasitology
  • Mental Disorders / etiology*
  • Mental Disorders / parasitology
  • Nervous System Diseases / etiology
  • Nervous System Diseases / parasitology
  • Toxoplasma / physiology
  • Toxoplasmosis / complications*
  • Toxoplasmosis / transmission