Scientists have warned that a common parasite spread by cats can increase your risk of brain cancer.
The parasite, called toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii), is usually spread to humans by contact with cat feces, or by eating undercooked meat.
Most people who become infected with the parasite are unaware of it and do not experience any major symptoms.
However, new research suggests that T. gondii may increase your risk of developing glioma, an aggressive type of brain cancer.
The parasite, called toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii), is usually spread to humans through contact with cat feces, or can be obtained from too little meat.
In the study, published in Cancer Epidemiology, researchers from the American Cancer Society in Atlanta investigated 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 cases in 2018.
However, it is a very deadly cancer, with the majority (80 percent) malignant tumors as gliomas.
The study analysis revealed that people with glioma were more likely to have antibodies to T. gondii (indicating that they had a previous infection) than a similar group who were cancer-free.
According to the researchers, this suggests that exposure to the parasite may increase the 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 individuals with a 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 repeated in a larger and more diverse group of individuals.”
Toxoplasma gondii is a unicellular parasite that can infect most warm-blooded species of animals – including humans – and cause the disease toxoplasmosis.
It is only known to reproduce sexually in cats.
Toxoplasma gondii is a unicellular parasite that can infect most warm-blooded animal species – including humans – and cause the disease toxoplasmosis.
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 using undercooked or contaminated meat.
However, the parasite can also be transmitted to humans through contact with feces of the cat.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention explained: ‘This can happen by cleaning a cat’s litter box if the cat spills Toxoplasma in the feces, anything that comes in contact with cat feces that contains Toxoplasma, touches or ingests or accidentally infects take land. . ‘
Toxoplasmosis is caused by a common brain parasite, Toxoplasma gondii, which is usually transmitted to humans via cats.
Most people who become infected with the parasite have no symptoms or basic flu-like symptoms.
However, in some cases, and especially in people with a weakened immune system, the parasite can damage brain, eyes or other organs.
Meanwhile, a bizarre recent study also found that the parasite could be linked to increased sexual arousal 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 parasite-free.
“Infected subjects are more likely to be aroused by their own fear, danger and sexual subjection,” according to a study by researchers at Charles University in Prague.
The study says that people with toxoplasmosis have a greater attraction to slavery, violence and, in men, to masochism and rape.