[iko]

Most of all, Toxo is very difficult to find, even with the now available highly-sensitive PCR techniques, and in several reported cases it has been found too late (autoptic diagnosis):

Leptomeningeal toxoplasmosis after allogeneic marrow transplantation.
Case report and review of the literature.


Seong DC, Przepiorka D, Bruner JM, Van Tassel P, Lo WK, Champlin RE.
Department of Hematology, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston.

A 37-year-old woman with chronic myelogenous leukemia underwent allogeneic bone marrow transplantation with CD8-depleted marrow from an HLA-identical sister. On day 43 post-transplant, the patient developed a headache and became lethargic and tremulous. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain showed abnormal meningeal and superficial parenchymal enhancement anteriorly. The spinal fluid had an elevated protein level with normal glucose and a neutrophilic pleocytosis. At autopsy, Toxoplasma meningo-encephalitis was seen. On review of the literature, headache and confusion at 1-2 months post-transplant are common presenting signs of central nervous system toxoplasmosis. The predominance of neutrophils in the spinal fluid in this patient probably reflects the meningeal component of the infection and is an unusual finding. The presentation of toxoplasmosis in marrow transplant recipients is quite pleomorphic, and a definite diagnosis is difficult to obtain antemortem. Empiric therapy with pyrimethamine and sulfadiazine should be considered for marrow transplant recipients with neurologic deficits for which there is no other apparent etiology.

Am J Clin Oncol. 1993 Apr;16(2):105-8.

[iko]

Toxoplasmosis after bone marrow transplantation is not an uncommon event for CML patients and recipients affected by other hematological malignancies.
This issue has been recently reviewed and published in specialized Journals:

Toxoplasmosis in bone marrow transplantation:
a report of two cases and systematic review of the literature.

Mele A, Paterson PJ, Prentice HG, Leoni P, Kibbler CC.
Department of Haematology, Royal Free and University College Medical School, Royal Free Campus, Rowland Hill Street, London NW3 2PF, UK.

Toxoplasma infection represents a rare but often fatal complication in bone marrow transplant (BMT) recipients. We report two cases of toxoplasmosis: one of successfully treated cerebral toxoplasmosis after peripheral blood stem cell transplantation, and a fatal case of pulmonary toxoplasmosis in a BMT recipient. We have systematically reviewed the 110 published cases of toxoplasmosis following BMT. We analyzed the pre-transplant and clinical features of BMT recipients developing toxoplasmosis, together with the diagnostic procedures used and treatment given. By univariate and multivariate statistical analysis we analyzed the risk factors for diagnosis (during life vs post-mortem) and Toxoplasma-related mortality. Ante-mortem diagnosis was made in 47% of cases. Site of infection (P = 0.02; odds ratio 10., presence of symptoms at onset (P = 0.01) and conditioning regimen (P = 0.04) were factors influencing whether the diagnosis was made before or after death. Overall mortality rate was 80% and that attributed to toxoplasmosis was 66%. Variables influencing outcome were: site of infection (P = 0.02; odds ratio 5.28), day of onset (P = 0.04) and conditioning regimen (P = 0.04). Underlying disease (P = 0.02; odds ratio 9.45), among patients diagnosed before death, was the most significant factor influencing outcome.
 
Bone Marrow Transplant. 2002 Apr;29(:691-8.

Disseminated toxoplasmosis after bone marrow transplantation: report of 9 cases.

de Medeiros BC, de Medeiros CR, Werner B, Loddo G, Pasquini R, Bleggi-Torres LF.
Department of Medical Pathology, Hospital de Clínicas, Curitiba, PR, Brazil.

Toxoplasma infection following bone marrow transplantation (BMT) is infrequently reported. We report 9 cases of disseminated Toxoplasma gondii infection in BMT recipients documented during an 11-year period at our institution. The incidence of T. gondii infection in our institution (1.14 per 100 allogeneic BMT) is higher than previously reported. The most frequently affected sites were the brain, lungs, and heart. Findings common to most patients who developed toxoplasmosis were positive pre-transplant serology, allogeneic transplant and graft-versus-host disease and its treatment, as well as BMT from matched unrelated donors. All 9 patients died and 8 were diagnosed only after autopsy. Heightened awareness of the occurrence of toxoplasmosis in marrow recipients, especially in highly endemic areas, and early diagnosis and therapy are needed for a better outcome.

Transpl Infect Dis. 2001 Mar;3(1):24-8.

Toxoplasmosis in bone marrow-transplant recipients: report of seven cases and review.

Derouin F, Devergie A, Auber P, Gluckman E, Beauvais B, Garin YJ, Lariviere M.
Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie, Hôpital Saint-Louis, Paris, France.

We report seven cases of cerebral or disseminated toxoplasmosis that occurred following bone marrow transplantation (BMT) and review the other 24 cases described in the literature. For all the cases, toxoplasmosis occurred within 6 months of BMT, with the highest incidence in the second and third months. Twenty-four of 26 recipients tested serologically before BMT were positive for Toxoplasma gondii, a finding that supports the view that such cases result from reactivation of latent infection. At the onset of clinical symptoms, IgG antibody titers were unchanged or decreased in 23 of 25 documented cases, and IgM antibodies were detected in two cases. Antemortem diagnosis was made in 16 cases and was based on the response to specific therapy in six cases and/or the demonstration of the parasite in body fluids or tissues in 10 cases. Autopsy was performed in 19 cases and revealed that infection was not restricted to the brain but either involved lung or heart tissue or was disseminated in 14 cases.

Clin Infect Dis. 1992 Aug;15(2):267-70.

[iko]

Well, if you managed to reach
this very post of a crazy thread...
I'm pretty sure you'll enjoy reading
this recent 'catch' of mine!

http://soundwaves.usgs.gov/2006/09/TgondiiLG.jpg

Cat Parasite May Affect Cultural Traits in Human Populations

By Gloria Maender    USGS, September 2006

Little is known about the causes of cultural change, but behavioral manipulation by a common brain parasite, Toxoplasma gondii, may be among the factors that play a role, according to a new study by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) published in the August 2, 2006, issue of Proceedings of the Royal Society, Biology.

"In populations where this parasite is very common, mass personality modification could result in cultural change," said study author Kevin Lafferty, a USGS scientist at the University of California, Santa Barbara, who has conducted extensive studies of parasites in coastal ecosystems. "The geographic variation in the latent prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii may explain a substantial proportion of human population differences we see in cultural aspects that relate to ego, money, material possessions, work, and rules."

Although this sounds like science fiction, it is a logical outcome of how natural selection leads to effective strategies for parasites to get from host to host, said Lafferty. Toxoplasma gondii is a parasite of cats, both domestic and wild. Although modern humans are a dead-end host for the parasite, Toxoplasma appears to manipulate human personality by the same adaptations that normally help it complete its life cycle. The typical journey of the parasite involves a cat and its prey, starting as eggs shed in an infected cat's feces, inadvertently eaten by a warm-blooded animal, such as a rat. The infected rat's behavior alters so that it becomes more active, less cautious, and more likely to be eaten by a cat, where the parasite completes its life cycle. Many other warm-blooded vertebrates may be infected by this pathogen, including marine mammals: a study begun in 2001 discovered that Toxoplasma gondii had caused 8 percent of stranded-sea-otter deaths in California between 1967 and 1989, the sea otters likely acquiring the parasite from cat feces that had been washed to sea (see Sound Waves article, Parasites as Indicators of Coastal-Ecosystem Health). In humans, the parasite commonly causes mild flu-like symptoms, after which it tends to remain in a dormant state in the brain and other tissues.
...
more reading from:  http://soundwaves.usgs.gov/2006/09/research3.html

[iko]

 

http://www.sushiesque.com/photos/uncategorized/britain_cat_wash_lo_8412842_2.jpg

Epidemiological evidences from China assume that psychiatric-related diseases
may be associated with Toxoplasma gondii infection.

Zhu S, Guo MF, Feng QC, Fan JM, Zhang F.
School of Basic Medicine, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China. zsha@zzu.edu.cn.

In recent years, the effect of Toxoplasma gondii infection on psychiatric-related aspects has been increasingly recognized. T. gondii has a high affinity for brain tissue where tachyzoites may form tissue cysts and persist life long. In recent years, 15 serological surveys about T. gondii infection and psychiatric diseases have been carried out in different areas in China. Studies showed that the prevalence of antibodies against T. gondii in psychotic patients was much higher than in normal persons; statistically differences were significant. Studies also reported that raising cats or enjoying the habit of eating raw or under cooked meet were potential risk factors for the infection of T. gondii. The epidemiological and serological evidence support the hypothesis that some psychiatric diseases such as schizophrenia or mental retardation might be linked to T. gondii infection.

Neuro Endocrinol Lett. 2007 Apr 15;28(2)

[iko]

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/97/Toxoplasma_gondii.jpg

...just look at them: no wonder that some people get mad!

[iko]

Float toxotopic float!  []

http://prometheus.med.utah.edu/~bwjones/C1276349108/E20070102093914/Media/Crazy%20cat.jpg

[Karen W.]

THat is a great picture Iko! LOL Love it!

[iko]

THat is a great picture Iko! LOL Love it!

Thanks Karen,

is compulsive-pic-posting one of the first signs of...something?

madkod  [)]

[Karen W.]

I don't know could be, I have learned how and am doing the same.. trying to keep busy with me camera.. LOL Maybe I will get better at it!LOL!

[iko]

This abstract should be dedicated
to Zoey, she is deeply interested
in this issue...but where is Zoey?

Meta-analysis of three case controlled studies and an ecological study
into the link between cryptogenic epilepsy and chronic toxoplasmosis infection.

Palmer BS.


Barts & The London, Queen Mary's School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of London, United Kingdom.

A meta-analysis was performed on three case controlled studies which examined the relationship between latent toxoplasmosis gondii infection in the immunocompetent host and cryptogenic epilepsy. Further comparison was also made by examining the seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis rates for 17 various countries, cities or regions against the prevalence rates for epilepsy in those regions.
RESULTS: The results for the meta-analysis showed a log-odds ratio of 4.8 which approximates to a similar relative risk, (CI 2.6 to 7., with CI for all three studies being above 1. Seroprevalence rates for toxoplasmosis and prevalence rates of epilepsy showed a strong association (p<0.001).
DISCUSSION: The prevalence of toxoplasmosis is an important factor in the prevalence of epilepsy with a probable link in the cryptogenic epilepsies. An area with a reduced burden of toxoplasmosis will also have a reduced burden of epilepsy. Neuropathophysiology findings from various studies show a common physical relationship of microglial nodule formation in Toxoplasma gondii infection and epilepsy. This analysis raises the possibility that one of the many causes of epilepsy may be an infectious agent, or that cryptogenic epilepsy may be a consequence of latent toxoplasmosis infection. This raises the possibility that public health measures to reduce toxoplasmosis infection may also result in a reduction in epilepsy.

Seizure. 2007 Jun 27; [Epub ahead of print]

http://www.fao.org/docrep/003/t0756e/T0756E180.jpg

Toxoplasmosis. Inflammation of the brain (encephalitis). Tachyzoites are distributed throughout the brain where they encysts and produce bradyzoites.

FAO - Manual on meat inspection for developing countries
SPECIFIC DISEASES OF SHEEP AND GOATS
http://www.fao.org/docrep/003/t0756e/T0756E06.htm

[iko]

floating pic...

http://www.enpacn.it/edit/images/foto/124/Immagine%20106.JPG

[iko]

Warning: this topic has not been posted in for at least 120 days...

...well, I think it's time for a 'refreshing' update!

Parasitosis, dopaminergic modulation and metabolic disturbances in schizophrenia:
evolution of a hypothesis.

Treuer T, Martenyi F, Karagianis J.
Neuroscience Research, Area Medical Center Vienna, Eli Lilly Regional GmbH, Venna, Austria. treuert@lilly.com.

http://socialfiction.org/img/Toxoplasma_gondii.jpg

Recent meta-analyses have provided a comprehensive overview of studies investigating Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in schizophrenic patients, thus attempting to clarify the potential role these infections might play in causing schizophrenia.
Issues for further research have been suggested. Associations and theories that may enrich the current level of knowledge with regard to this significant subject deserve attention.
Anti-parasitic agents as well as antipsychotics are effective in treating parasitosis.
Both classes of drugs have been shown to exert dopaminergic activity. Parasites and human organisms have a long history of mutual contact. The effect of parasitosis on the host and the host's response to infection are undoubtedly the product of a long evolutionary process. The neurochemical background of delusions of parasitosis is potentially similar to ancient evolutionary traces of altered neurotransmission and neuropeptide gene expression caused by parasites; these include fungal and viral infections. This is very unique in medicine if a class of drugs is effective in the treatment of an illness but also cures the delusion of the same disorder as well. Furthermore, metabolic disturbances such as hyperglycemia and insulin resistance were reported several decades before the antipsychotic era. Toxoplasmosis may also be linked to insulin resistance. Schizophrenia research can benefit from understanding this evolutionary link. New chemical entities that are liable to alter neurochemical changes related to the brain's perception of the risk of predation secondary to parasites may result in new approaches for the treatment of psychosis. These findings suggest that further research is needed to clarify this evolutionary link between parasite infection and delusions of parasitosis. We believe this model may well open up new avenues of research in the discovery of drugs to counteract schizophrenia.

Neuro Endocrinol Lett. 2007 Oct;28(5):535-40.[/size]

for more reading:  http://toxoplasmaparasite.blogspot.com/2007/11/parasitosis-dopaminergic-modulation-and.html

...isn't it just fascinating?
I wish I could grab the whole article:
our library might do this miracle 4me!

Got any suggestions out there?

Cheers,

ikod  [^]

http://www.moreno-stone.co.il/playground/humor/photo/smile%20cat.jpg

[iko]

...and last, but not least,
an almost 30yrs old report
from Cuba:

Reactivity of toxoplasmin intradermal test
in neurotic and manic-depressive patients.
[Article in Spanish]

Delgado García G, Rodríguez Perdomo E.

Fifty patients with manic-depressive psychosis, 120 neurotics and 100 healthy individuals were studied. They underwent the toxoplasmin intradermal test. The highest percentage of reactors was found among patients with manic-depressive psychosis (66,0%). Patients with depressive neurosis accounted for the highest number among neurotics (55,6%). The intensity of reaction was higher among patients with manic-depressive psychosis. Neurotic patients were compared to schizophrenic patients from a previous study conducted by one out of the authors. It is concluded that the percentage of reactors is higher among patients with depressive mental disorders, and also that this percentage increases with mental deterioration in patients.

Rev Cubana Med Trop. 1980 Jan-Apr;32(1):35-9.

[another_someone]

While not wishing to dispute the plausibility of what is being said, but applying my usual scepticism about statistics, the fact that we can detect correlation does not prove causality.  It may simply be that people with psychiatric disorders tend to not integrate well in human society, so prefer the company of animals, which increases their likelihood of infection from those animals.  Equally, it is well known that people with psychiatric disorders tend to be less thorough in terms of hygiene, both their own, and probably their pets - so further increasing the risk of infection.

I am not saying the causality is absent, only that at present, have we anything more than mere correlation?

[iko]

While not wishing to dispute the plausibility of what is being said, but applying my usual scepticism about statistics, the fact that we can detect correlation does not prove causality.  It may simply be that people with psychiatric disorders tend to not integrate well in human society, so prefer the company of animals, which increases their likelihood of infection from those animals.  Equally, it is well known that people with psychiatric disorders tend to be less thorough in terms of hygiene, both their own, and probably their pets - so further increasing the risk of infection.

I am not saying the causality is absent, only that at present, have we anything more than mere correlation?

...and the winner is...
We seem to have a discussion around here!
Thanks George, you are exactly right, as usual.
 In my personal opinion, the point here is the diagnostic level presently used in the case of a supposed chronic persistent infection by a common pathogen.
If we have to count on concentration of specific antibodies or skin reactions to toxo antigens...we will never reach anything more than a mere correlation.
Searching for protozoa DNA 'bits' - in the circulating white cells, for example - would eventually allow to differentiate active infection from immune 'memory'.

[iko]

Hi everybody,

I finally found one of the last year reports mentioned by Chris
last February 2007, that started the discussion about mysterious
"Toxoplasma Psychonnections"!
Enjoy,

ikod  [^]

Parasite gives rats suicidal cat attraction
Tuesday, 3 April 2007by Hilary Jones


http://www.cosmosmagazine.com/node/1139

http://www.cosmosmagazine.com/system/files/20070403_catrat.jpg
http://blog.wired.com/tableofmalcontents/2006/12/the_rise_of_tox.html

[Titanscape]

Is there a possible immune weakness in some to toxoplasmic parasites? Is there treatment for parasites? Can one recover from toxoplasm and does it leave damage?

Can cats be treated for such parasites?

Does it matter, as to which part of the brain in which the parasites takes root?

 

[Zoey]

This abstract should be dedicated
to Zoey, she is deeply interested
in this issue...but where is Zoey?

Meta-analysis of three case controlled studies and an ecological study
into the link between cryptogenic epilepsy and chronic toxoplasmosis infection.

Palmer BS.


Barts & The London, Queen Mary's School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of London, United Kingdom.

A meta-analysis was performed on three case controlled studies which examined the relationship between latent toxoplasmosis gondii infection in the immunocompetent host and cryptogenic epilepsy. Further comparison was also made by examining the seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis rates for 17 various countries, cities or regions against the prevalence rates for epilepsy in those regions.http://www.fao.org/docrep/003/t0756e/T0756E06.htm

[]

It's been a while since I logged in here. Came to this page while searching out information on toxoplasmosis and epilepsy. Iko-if you still roam here, do you have any new information in toxoplasmosis and neurological disorders? Can the infection be treated with cod liver oil?

[iko]

Dear Zoey!

How are you doing my dearest web-friend?
So much time has passed, but nothing is moving on the leukemia-codliveroil connections.
I'm left with a first citation on Google (leukemia+vitamin) out of zillions...
No discussion anymore: something has been found about vitamin D deficieny and CLL, a chronic leukemia in adults.
So 'something' is moving...50-60 viewers per day make me positive about the whole issue.
Almost every day I wonder about parents that find the CLO message today and have to decide about their own kid.
Nobody is posting, messagin' or anything like that. This makes me think that I did something wrong.
From the very start. Years are passing and vitamin D and leukemia is slowly becoming a reality.
But...How many roads must a man walk down?
Little boy is a happy young adult working in a FogSystem Company in LA as an engineer
and he's taking flight lessons to get a pilot licence just for the fun of it.
As you can easily imagine, I should be the happiest man on earth (>10 years, leuk never comes back!).
It's not like it should be, unfortunately. So I worry for the other 'patients' and...wonder if I did anything wrong
and lost my chance to help people with my very same problem.
Is going to FaceBook a good idea? I do not know, and I'am sort of tired and exhausted in this 'silence'.
If you support an hypothesis and nobody is talking to you (in the wwww. I mean)...well, maybe something is wrong.
And you do not know what you did wrong and what you missed in the process.

Toxoplasmosis. I'am not your expert, I know that 'eradication' treatments are based on simple sulfa-drugs.
They have to be taken for a long period, 'cause these naughty beasts like to hide in our body and survive with us.

I know that's not a big help for my friend Zoey, but She will find better stuff on the internet!
On my part, I give you a BIG hug and a kiss,

Ikod

[Zoey]

Greetings, Iko,
Nice to hear the good news of your family. This may be a good time to revive the cod liver oil issue for leukemia. There may be more interest in it now than in the past as more is being understood on the role of nutrition in disease--progression and healing.

Facebook or even Yahoo, might be good possibilities for bringing up the CLO topic, especially with the parent's groups. Considering all the research and publicity since Merck bought the CLO company, this may be an excellent time to start the discussion up again. It should not be forgotten!

 A few years ago I moved to Kentucky seeking medical treatment for the spinal cord disorder, big mistake. However, all is well and am starting to write again.

About Toxoplasmosis:
 Supposedly, in it's dormant stage, toxoplasmosis is doing no harm, thus it is often not treated. Further, the drugs used can have such severe side effects, it may be safer to try other treatments, i.e., improve the ability of the immune system to keep the infection in it's dormant stage.
 However, in the dormant phase the slower growing cysts are embedded in the brain and elsewhere in the body. Aren't they having some sort of effect, causing irritation, inflammation to those tissues? If so, would this not help explain slow degenerative phase in some disorders to which it may be linked, i.e. seizures, Parkinson's, schizophrenia? I have some questions to ask about some aspects of disease progression, such as in Parkinson's, and a few others.
 I just published an overview article on toxoplasmosis.  The plan is to do one on epilepsy, and on other conditions that may have a toxoplasma link.

Toxoplasma decor for the home