Invasion of the Body Snatchers: 12 Freaky Facts About Toxoplasmosis

There is a parasite that could be in your brain affecting your actions and behaviors at this very moment and you would very likely be unaware of its presence. Does this sound like something out of a science fiction novel? It's actually very real. Meet Toxoplasma gondii.

Toxoplasma gondii is a parasitic protozoan that causes the disease toxoplasmosis. Most people do not know this condition exists unless they are pregnant and warned by their doctors to avoid cleaning cat litter boxes. Such avoidance is necessary because a new infection of Toxoplasmosis can cause severe birth defects or even miscarriages and still births. For the most part, however, people infected with the disease appear completely asymptomatic and can live oblivious to the infection for years.

So what's so interesting about a parasite that generally doesn't cause problems unless you're pregnant? Here are 12 facts about Toxoplasma gondii that may surprise you.

1. It's more prevalent than you think: Research shows that as many as 20-40 percent of the populations in the US and the UK are infected. This is quite a high number for a relatively unknown disease. It's not the highest rates of infection, however. The country that can claim the highest rate of toxoplasmosis infection is France with an astounding 80 percent of their population infected.

2. It doesn't just come from cats: Yes, felines are the parasite's primary host because it breeds in their stomachs, but the majority of Toxoplasmosis infection may originate from eating undercooked or "rare" meats. This may explain why France has a higher rate because the people have a preference for meats on the rare side.

3. It makes mice attracted to cats by controlling their brains: You read that correctly. A study by Oxford University confirmed that mice infected with Toxoplasma gondii are unafraid of areas that smell of cat urine. In some cases, the mice were even attracted to these places. This makes the mouse more likely to become a cat's supper, which is good for the parasite since it breeds in cats, but terrible for the mouse, as you might imagine.

4.It infects our brain by using normal body cells as a disguise: Macrophages and dendritic cells are two of our body's naturally circulating cells, both relating to immunity. The parasite is able to enter these cells and use them as a vessel in which they enter the brain Trojan horse style. The body doesn't realize these cells are carrying this sneaky passenger, so the toxoplasma is allowed to enter without trouble and make itself at home IN YOUR BRAIN.

5. It makes men dumber, more jealous and less attractive: Infected men score lower on IQ tests than non-infected men. They also tend to have a short attention span and achieve a lower level of education. That's only the beginning of the list of negative traits men with toxoplasmosis display. They are highly suspicious, prone to risk taking and rule breaking, anti-social and jealous. In studies, women consider them to be less attractive.

6.It makes women hotter and promiscuous: Contrary to the findings in men, when compared to non-infected controls, women who test positive for toxoplasmosis are found to be more attractive. Not only that, but they seem friendlier, more sociable and even a little sexually adventurous.

7. It causes insecurities: People infected with toxoplasmosis, regardless of gender, tended to be more self critical and insecure than uninfected controls when tested. They also show a tendency to be a bit guilty.

8. It may have a significant role in car accidents: Because toxoplasmosis causes delayed reaction times, it may be the source of many vehicular accidents worldwide. In a driving study on military officers during the years 2000-2003, it was discovered that the officers who were involved in the most accidents also tended to be the ones who tested positive for the parasite. Because of Toxoplasmosis's commonness, it may be an unseen but major cause of such accidents.

9. It increases the male birth rate: Though the usual boy-to-girl birth ratio is about even, when there is a presence of Toxoplasma gondii , the rate for boys increases to about 260 boys to 100 girls. Because toxoplasmosis is associated with immunosuppression, it likely increases the survival rate of male embryos which are more prone to being attacked by the mother's immune system in non-infected women.

10. It may play a role in Schizophrenia: Because it affects dopamine production and changes the natural brain messages, there is a chance it may be a trigger for the development of Schizophrenia and other serious psychiatric ailments such as bipolar disorder. There is a statistical link between Schizophrenia and toxoplasmosis infection, though scientists haven't yet determined why there is such a link, and , therefore, cannot list toxoplasmosis as a sure cause without further research.

11. It can be deadly: In most cases, Toxoplasmosis has few obvious symptoms. However, not only can it be lethal for fetuses, it can also prove fatal for people with weakened immune systems (people with AIDS or undergoing chemotherapy, for example). It can cause several symptoms in these patients including confusion, seizures, vision changes and even coma and death.

12. Toxoplasma gondii may take over the world: Okay, it may not be set on world domination, but the rate of infection of different areas of the globe may explain some of the differences between countries, specifically differences in the behaviors of their citizens, though probably not on a major scale. Still, if the parasite causes such personality changes, one would suspect that wide spread infection could have an effect on the personality of an entire culture.

To learn more about Toxoplasma gondii and toxoplasmosis, including tips for preventing it and more, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.

Other Sources:

Science Daily: Toxoplasmosis May Trigger Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorders

Women Infected With Toxoplasmosis Have More Sons

The Sydney Morning Herald: Parasite Makes Men Dumb, Women Sexy

ABC News: Cat Parasite Affects Everything We Feel and Do

BioMed Central: Increased Incidence of Traffic Accidents in Toxoplasma-Infected Military Drivers and Protective Effect RhD Molecule Revealed by a Large-Scale Prospective Cohort Study

CERTC: Toxoplasmosis