Toxoplasma gondii-A Gastrointestinal Pathogen Associated with Human Brain Diseases.

Abstract in brief

• Toxoplasma gondii is an widespread parasite that primarily infects humans through ingestion of contaminated oocysts from cats or undercooked meat, and it has been linked to various neurological and psychiatric disorders, challenging the previous belief that most infections are asymptomatic.
• Growing evidence suggests that Toxoplasma not only affects the brain directly by forming cysts but also may influence mental health indirectly through immune activation in the gastrointestinal tract, which can contribute to gastrointestinal inflammation and dysfunction linked to brain diseases.
• Recent studies highlight a connection between Toxoplasma exposure and increased risk of serious mental health issues like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression, supported by observations of altered cognition and behavior, with animal models further indicating the parasite’s impact on brain function.