A common parasite spread by cats can increase your risk of developing brain cancer, scientists have warned.
The parasite, called toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii), usually spreads to humans through contact with cat feces or through consumption of undercooked meat.
Most people who become infected with the parasite are not aware of this and will not have major symptoms.
However, new research indicates that T. gondii may increase the risk of developing glioma, an aggressive type of brain cancer.
The parasite, called toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii), usually spreads to humans through contact with cat feces or can be obtained from unprocessed 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 that occurs in the brain and spinal cord.
Glioma is relatively rare, with approximately 300,000 incidents in 2018.
However, it is an extremely fatal cancer, with the majority (80%) of malignancies being gliomas.
The analysis of the study revealed that people with glioma are more likely to have antibodies against T. gondii (indicating that they had a previous infection) than a similar group that did not have cancer.
According to the researchers, this suggests that exposure to the parasite could increase the risk of aggressive brain tumors.
Dr. Anna Coghill, an assistant professor at the Moffitt Cancer Center and co-author of the study, said: “The findings suggest that people with higher exposure to the parasite T. gondii are more likely to develop glioma.”
However, it should be noted that the absolute risk of being diagnosed with 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 species of warm-blooded animals – including humans – and can cause toxoplasmosis.
It is only known that it reproduces sexually in cats.
Toxoplasma gondii is a single-celled parasite that can infect most species of warm-blooded animals – including humans – and can cause toxoplasmosis.
Humans can be infected with the parasite T. gondii in several ways.
One of the most common ways people become infected is by eating undercooked or contaminated meat.
However, the parasite can also be transmitted to humans through contact with cat feces.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention explained: “This can happen by cleaning a cat’s litter when the cat has shed Toxoplasma in the feces, touching or ingesting anything that has come in contact with cat feces containing Toxoplasma or accidentally ingesting contaminated soil. ‘
Toxoplasmosis is caused by a common brain parasite Toxoplasma gondii, which is usually transmitted to humans by cats.
Most people who become infected with the parasite will not have flu-like symptoms or basic symptoms.
However, in some cases, especially in people with a weakened immune system, the parasite can cause damage to the brain, eyes or other organs.
Meanwhile, a recent bizarre study also found that the parasite may be linked to increased sexual arousal out of 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 without parasites.
“Infected subjects are more often aroused by their own fear, danger and sexual obedience,” 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.”