Undercooked or raw meat is a major risk factor for parasitic infections such as trichinellosis, salmonella and listeria, but recent research has found an even more sinister link between contaminated meat and health risks.
A recent study in the International Journal of Cancer suggests that one specific parasite found in meat and cooked water may be associated with a rare form of brain cancer in humans. (Related: The 7 healthiest foods you can eat right now.)
Research led by James Hodge, of the American Cancer Society, and Anna Coghill, of the Department of Cancer Epidemiology at the H. Lee Moffit Cancer Center and Research Institute in Florida, have identified Toxoplasma gondii, or T. gondii, as a parasite that can cause cysts and inflammation in the brain, which in turn can lead to many deadly gliomas.
The study observed more than 750 people in the United States and Norway and found that there was a positive association between those who were positive for T. gondii antibodies, indicating that they had recently been infected with the parasite and the risk of gliomas. What’s more, the association was stronger for those who had a greater number of antibodies.
However, this does not mean that everyone who is exposed to the parasite runs the same risk, the authors of the study said in a statement. CNN.
“This does not mean that T. gondii definitely causes glioma in all situations. Some people with glioma have no T. gondii antibodies, and vice versa,” Hodge said. “The findings suggest that individuals with a higher exposure to the T. gondii parasite are more likely to develop glioma,” Coghill added. “However, it should be noted that the absolute risk of being diagnosed with a glioma remains low, and these findings need to be repeated in a larger and more diverse group of individuals.”
So, what is T. gondii and how do you get it? It is a common parasite that usually infects humans when they ingest raw meat or water from raw meat, but it can also occur due to exposure to infected cat feces and can even be transmitted from mother to child during pregnancy. The subsequent infection is called Toxoplasmosis, which can cause flu-like symptoms in some, while most, according to the Mayo Clinic, never show signs or symptoms.
Exposure to this parasite is fairly common. The CDC estimates that approximately 11% of the U.S. population aged 6 and older was infected at some point.
For more information, check out this list of foods that are likely to give you food poisoning, and 7 Food Safety Tips Doctors Want You to Know. Do not forget to Subscribe to our newsletter to get the latest food safety and health news straight to your inbox.