A common parasite spread by cats can increase the risk of brain cancer, scientists have warned.
The parasite, called toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii), is commonly transmitted to humans through contact with cat faeces or through eating undercooked meat.
Most people who become infected with the parasite are unaware of it and will not experience major symptoms.
However, new research indicates that T. gondii may increase your risk of developing glioma, an aggressive form of brain cancer.
The parasite, called toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii), is usually transmitted to humans through contact with cat poo, or can be obtained from undercooked meat.
In the study, published in Cancer Epidemiology, researchers at the American Cancer Society in Atlanta examined the link between T. gondii antibodies and glioma – a type of tumor found in the brain and spinal cord.
Glioma is relatively rare, with an estimated 300,000 incidents in 2018.
However, it is a very deadly cancer with the majority (80 percent) of malignancies being gliomas.
The study analysis found that people with glioma are more likely to have antibodies to T. gondii (indicating they have had a previous infection) than a comparable group that was cancer-free.
According to the researchers, this suggests that exposure to the parasite could increase your risk of aggressive brain tumors.
Dr. Anna Coghill, assistant professor at the Moffitt Cancer Center and co-author of the study, said: “The findings suggest that people with higher exposure to the T. gondii parasite are more likely to develop glioma.
However, it should be noted that the absolute risk of being diagnosed with a glioma remains low, and these findings need to be replicated in a larger and more diverse group of individuals.
Toxoplasma gondii is a single-celled parasite that can infect most warm-blooded animal species – including humans – and cause toxoplasmosis disease.
It is only known to reproduce sexually in cats.
Toxoplasma gondii is a single-celled parasite that can infect most warm-blooded animal species – including humans – and cause toxoplasmosis disease
Humans can be infected with the T. gondii parasite in a number of ways.
One of the most common ways people become infected is by consuming undercooked or contaminated meat.
However, the parasite can also be transmitted to humans through contact with cat faeces.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention explained, “ This can be done by cleaning a cat’s litter box when the cat has expelled Toxoplasma in its stool, by touching or ingesting something that has come into contact with cat poop that has Toxoplasma, or by accidentally ingesting contaminated soil. . ‘
Toxoplasmosis is caused by a common brain parasite Toxoplasma gondii, which is usually transmitted to humans through cats
Most people who become infected with the parasite will not experience any symptoms or basic flu-like symptoms.
However, in some cases, and especially in people with weakened immune systems, the parasite can cause damage to the brain, eyes, or other organs.
Meanwhile, a bizarre recent study also found that the parasite may be linked to increased sexual arousal from fear and danger.
The research, published in the journal Evolutionary Psychology, was based on 36,564 people in Slovakia and the Czech Republic, some of whom were infected with toxoplasmosis and some of whom were free of parasites.
“Infected subjects are more often aroused by their own fear, danger and sexual submission,” according to a study by researchers at Charles University in Prague.
The study says people with toxoplasmosis have a “greater attraction to slavery, violence and, in men, to masochism and rape.”