Neuropathogenesis of Chronic Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Immunocompetant Hosts
A special issue of Life (ISSN 2075-1729). This special issue belongs to the section "Microbiology".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 April 2024) | Viewed by 1015
Special Issue Editors
Interests: host/pathogen interactions; parasites; Toxoplasma gondii
Interests: neurovirology; schizophrenia; schizophrenia risks; bipolar disorder; role of perinatal infections in subsequent brain development
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Toxoplasma gondii is a significant parasitic infection of the brain with approximately one-third of the world’s population chronically infected, where the parasite persists in cysts in neurons. While most immunocompetent hosts with chronic infection remain asymptomatic, the chronic infection is also associated with neuropsychiatric illnesses including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, suicidal tendencies, anxiety, and cognitive decline in the elderly. Collectively, these findings indicate that chronic T. gondii infection increases the risk of developing a range of psychiatric illnesses. The underlying mechanisms are not understood, but T. gondii infection has been shown to induce neuroinflammation, induce neuronal loss, disturb neural circuits, and disrupt neurotransmitter pathways. Many questions need to be addressed to advance our understanding of T. gondii in psychiatric disorders. Additionally, the bradyzoite stage of T. gondii in neurons and the mechanisms underlying the persistence of the encysted bradyzoites remain poorly understood aspects of the parasite life cycle. A better understanding of bradyzoites, their impact on neuronal dysfunction, and the host/parasite interactions of bradyzoites in neurons, may yield insights into the neuropathogenesis of chronic toxoplasmosis and its impact on brain disorders.
We welcome all research and review papers on the neuropathogenesis of chronic toxoplasmosis in immunocompetent hosts and its impact on brain disorders. We are also interested in articles on the behavioral effects of T. gondii in other intermediate hosts.
Dr. Sandra Halonen
Prof. Dr. Robert H. Yolken
Guest Editors
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Keywords
- bradyzoites
- cysts
- chronic infection
- neuroinflammation
- neuropsychiatric disease
- parasite persistence
- bradyzoite recrudescence
- schizophrenia
