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Published on: December 9, 2014
Behavioral and memory changes in Mus musculus coinfected by Toxocara canis and Toxoplasma gondii
Flávia Motta Corrêa1, Pedro Paulo Chieffi1, Susana A Zevallos Lescano1
1Faculdade de Ciências Médicas da Santa Casa de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Abstract:
Several researchers have stated that parasites can alter the behavior of their hosts, in order to increase the transmission rate, principally when prey-predator relationships are a reliable way of infection transmission. The aim of this study was to verify the occurrence of changes in anxiety and short-term memory patterns in experimentally infected Mus musculus by Toxocara canis and/or Toxoplasma gondii. Forty male Mus musculus (Balb/c) eight-week-old were divided into four groups of 10 mice each. One group was infected with 300 eggs of Toxocara canis; a second group was submitted to infection with 10 cysts of Toxoplasma gondii; a third group was concomitantly infected with both parasites with the same inoculums and the last group was maintained without infection. The anxiety levels were evaluated using an elevated plus maze and an actometer; the short-term memory was determined by a two-way active avoidance equipment. The determination of anxiety levels were conducted 40 and 70 days after infection and the short-term memory was evaluated 140 days after infection. Mice chronically infected by Toxoplasma gondii showed impaired learning and short-term memory, but no significant differences were found in mice infected by Toxocara canis or concomitantly infected by Toxocara canis and Toxoplasma gondii when compared to non infected mice.
Insights
Toxoplasma gondii infection impaired short-term memory and learning in mice. Toxocara canis or co-infection did not significantly affect these cognitive functions compared to uninfected controls.
Area of Science:
- Neuroparasitology
- Behavioral Neuroscience
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Parasites can manipulate host behavior to enhance transmission.
- Prey-predator interactions are a key route for parasite transmission.
- Understanding parasite-induced behavioral changes is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of Toxocara canis and/or Toxoplasma gondii infection on anxiety and short-term memory in Mus musculus.
- To determine if these parasites alter host cognitive functions.
Main Methods:
- Experimentally infected male Balb/c mice (Mus musculus) with T. gondii, T. canis, or both.
- Used elevated plus maze and actometer to assess anxiety levels.
- Evaluated short-term memory using a two-way active avoidance test.
Main Results:
- Toxoplasma gondii infection led to significant impairments in learning and short-term memory.
- No significant differences in anxiety or short-term memory were observed in T. canis infected mice.
- Concomitant infection with both parasites did not result in significant behavioral changes compared to controls.
Conclusions:
- Toxoplasma gondii infection negatively impacts cognitive functions, specifically learning and short-term memory, in mice.
- Toxocara canis infection alone or in combination with T. gondii does not appear to affect these specific behavioral parameters.
- Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms behind T. gondii-induced cognitive deficits.
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