Context between cat feces and women suicide

Context determined between Katzenkot and women's suicide: data from 45,000 Danes analyzed

05/07/2012

Researchers have long suspected a link between the feline parasite toxoplasma gondii and schizophrenia and other behavioral problems. A new study, in which the data of 45,000 Danes were evaluated, now seems to confirm the suspicion.

Significant increase in toxoplasmosis in suicide attempts with high use of force
Women who have toxoplasmosis may have a significantly higher risk of suicide. This emerges from a new study published in the journal Archives of General Psychiatry. Thus, the likelihood of suicide by women infected with the feline toxoplasma toxoplasma gondii was twice as high. Particularly significant was the increase in suicide attempts with high use of force.

"We can not say with any certainty that T. gondii caused the suicide attempt of women," said scientist Teodor Postolache of the University of Maryland. "But we found an obvious link between the infection and later suicide attempts." More studies are already in planning.

Experts believe that about one third of people become infected with Toxoplasma gondii during their lifetime. Mostly the disease is not noticed because of its unremarkable course. Those affected, however, form antibodies in the blood. According to the study, the risk of suicide increases with the level of antibodies.

Toxoplasmosis can cause malformations in fetuses
Toxoplasmosis is an infectious disease that is transmitted by parasites and is distributed worldwide. Affected persons are usually infected by eating insufficiently heated meat of infected animals or by touching an infected cat or cat droppings. This can cause an infection even in dust form and after a long time. Healthy people usually show no symptoms of toxoplasmosis. In very rare cases, there are symptoms such as mild fever, lymphadenopathy in the neck, fatigue, body aches and headache. The course of the disease is usually latent, so no treatment needs to be done. For fetuses, however, toxoplasmosis carries great risks. An untreated infection can lead to permanent malformations and damage. A blood test gives pregnant women information about a possible infection with toxoplasmosis. If there is an infection, followed by at least four weeks of medication therapy, which is usually successful. (Ag)

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