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Toxoplasma Gondii

By Cody Alloway Alyssa Truelblood Catlyn Ross. Toxoplasma Gondii. Introduction to Taxoplasma G ondii. T. gandii is an intracellular protozoan capable of infecting all mammals Members of the cat family are definite hosts of the parasite and shed T. gandii oocysts with their faeces

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Toxoplasma Gondii

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  1. By Cody Alloway Alyssa Truelblood Catlyn Ross Toxoplasma Gondii

  2. Introduction to TaxoplasmaGondii • T. gandii is an intracellular protozoan capable of infecting all mammals • Members of the cat family are definite hosts of the parasite and shed T. gandiioocysts with their faeces • If the oocysts are ingested by another mammal, cysts with form in various tissues of the brain

  3. TaxoplasmaGondii This image shows the specific organelles of the parasite.  This image shows a view of the parasite infecting a cell. 

  4. Toxoplasma Gondii Map • Map courtesy of http://www.travel-med.bug4all.jp/infection/protozoa/apicomplexa/toxoplasma.html

  5. Cats as a Host Cats can be infected in two ways: • The cat can directly ingest oocysts shed from another cat in the environment • The cat ingests cysts when eating infected intermediate-host prey

  6. Research goals and Experimental approach • The researchers are trying to determine if the parasite Toxoplasma Gondii causes fatal attraction in rats • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__K104jSGzs • (6:15-7:15)

  7. Importance • This study is important to elucidate the host parasite being studied because the study shows the correlation between the Toxoplasma Gondii and the relation to the rats being attracted to their primary predator.

  8. Methods • Adult Lister hooded rats were used • They made sure that no t virus was present in them before testing • 23 were infected and 32 were not(and given placebo injection) • Were tested using seven drops of certain odor on four different straw types in a 2 meter by 2 meter cage with white sand as floor • These different straws were: rat urine, water rinsed with water, cat urine, and rabbit urine • Observed from dusk to dawn to see where the rats preferred under 2 halogen lights (They were made used to the lights knows as habituated)

  9. Final Sample Size The final sample size in the experiment consisted of: • 23 infected rats • 32 uninfected (control) rats

  10. Results Derived From Experiment The experiment revealed significant divergence between infected and uninfected rats in their response to smell: • Control rats continued to exhibit a stable avoidance of cat scented areas in the pen • T. Gondii infected rats showed a preference for areas with signs of cat presence

  11. Data to Support Results

  12. Conclusion • It was found that the infected individuals show no difference in their general health status compared to uninfected individuals • The T. Gondiiinfection is confined to change the intermediate hosts sense in odor • T. Gondii appears to alter subtly the cognitive perception of the host in the face of predation risk

  13. Potential Errors/Follow Up • The experiment was very well thought out but if there was to be a follow up then equal numbers of controls and infected should be used. • If a follow up experiment was done, they should use a different breed of rat and use all the same sex of the rats.

  14. What we learned • This strain can literally control the brains of rats in order to make them commit suicide. • They have adapted this cycle to keep the strain alive and enduring. This is an amazing evolutionary trait that literally is mind control. • A great example of how even microbiological factors can influence things on a macro level

  15. What we learned • This strain of Toxoplasma Gondiican even affect humans and other mammals. • In female humans it makes them more promiscuous and regardless of gender it almost doubles the chance you will get into an accident. • The T. Gondii strain may control the parts of the amygdala which controls the fear in the brain

  16. What we learned continued • This parasite can cause toxoplasmosis in humans. • There are treatments for it according to the center for disease control. • Approximately over 60 million people are infected but usually most people have immune systems that prevent any symptoms showing.

  17. References • Berdoy, M., and JP Webster. "Fatal Attraction in Rats Infected with Toxoplasma Gondii." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 10 Jan. 2013. Web. 13 Feb. 2013.http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/toxoplasmosis/gen_info/faqs.html. • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention   1600 Clifton Rd. Atlanta, GA 30333, USA http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/toxoplasmosis/gen_info/faqs.html. • Google Images. All images are from Google images and belong to their perspective owners. • Youtube.Toxoplasmosis Gondii Temporal Illusions from parasitic brain infection. Username:Yougotbrainworms. 6:15-7:15 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__K104jSGzs

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