Toxoplasma-induced behavior changes - is microbial dysbiosis the missing link?

Area of Science:

• Parasitology
• Neuroscience
• Microbiology

Background:

• Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is a widespread intracellular protozoan capable of infecting most mammalian cells.
• It establishes chronic infections, persisting for the host's lifetime by forming cysts in muscles and the brain.
• T. gondii infection affects a third of the world's population, posing risks to immunocompromised individuals and potentially causing behavioral changes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review hypotheses explaining behavior changes associated with T. gondii infection.
• To propose and investigate the link between chronic T. gondii infection, gut microbial dysbiosis, and behavioral alterations.
• To highlight the under-characterized changes in the gut microbiome during chronic T. gondii infection.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of existing hypotheses on T. gondii-induced behavior changes.
• Exploration of recent studies connecting the gut microbiome to T. gondii infection.
• Analysis of the potential role of microbial dysbiosis in chronic infection stages.

Main Results:

• Acute T. gondii infection is known to cause significant gut microbial dysbiosis.
• Evidence suggests a connection between T. gondii infection and altered host behavior in both humans and rodents.
• The specific mechanisms linking chronic T. gondii infection, gut microbiome alterations, and behavioral changes remain largely unelucidated.

Conclusions:

• Gut microbial dysbiosis is a potential, novel mechanism underlying behavioral changes in chronic T. gondii infections.
• Further research is needed to fully characterize gut microbiome alterations during chronic T. gondii infection.
• Understanding this link could provide new insights into T. gondii pathogenesis and host-parasite interactions.