Survey on the association between Toxoplasma gondii infection and violent behavior in inmates

Abstract

We evaluated the association between T. gondii seropositivity and violent behavior in a sample of inmates in Durango, Mexico. Through a cross-sectional study design, we studied 128 inmates (mean age: 35.89 ± 10.51; range: 19-65 years). Sera of participants were analyzed for anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies using a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Violence was assessed by 1) the Historical, Clinical and Risk Management-20 (HCR-20) tool; 2) the type of the crime for which inmates were convicted; and 3) the Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire (AGQ). Of the 128 inmates, 17 (13.3%) had high risk of violence by the HCR-20 criteria, 72 (56.3%) were considered violent by the type of the crime committed, and 59 (46.1%) were considered violent by the AGQ. Depending on the evaluation method of violence, the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection in violent inmates varied from 0% to 6.9%. No statistically significant difference in anti-T. gondii IgG seroprevalence between violent and non-violent inmates was found (for instance by AGQ, OR: 1.17; 95% CI: 0.22-6.07; P = 1.00). Mean scores of the AGQ in T. gondii seropositive inmates (73.67 ± 29.09; 95% CI: 50.00-99.31) were similar to those (79.84 ± 25.00; 95% CI: 75.46-84.27) found in T. gondii seronegative inmates (P = 0.55). Mean scores of anger, psychical aggression, verbal aggression, and hostility in T. gondii seropositive inmates were similar to those found in T. gondii seronegative inmates. Results of this study suggest that infection with T. gondii is not associated with violence in inmates in Durango, Mexico. Further studies with larger sample sizes and in several correctional facilities to determine the association between T. gondii infection and violence in inmates are needed.