Parasite responsible for Australians losing job, road accidents; here’s why toxoplasmosis is creating havoc
A study published in Science Direct in April 2025 estimates that more than two billion people carry globally, ‘a cheap method to measure hidden toxoplasmosis and behavioral consequences’.
According to a news.com.au article, about 20 percent of Australians are affected, which causes mental health problems and reaction times.
Generally, cats are shrinking after eating infected mice or using cat sand using dirty raw meat. Most people do not realize that they are infected because symptoms are rare in healthy individuals.
How does it change behavior
Research from the University of Melbourne, Lancaster University and Zeppelin University found that toxoplasmosis could skillfully change human behavior and decision -making.
Melbourne University Senior Lecturer Michele Garagnani said that those infected with news.com.au would participate in a car accident that is about two percent. Studies have also been associated with more appetite for risky behaviors such as self -control, increasing impatience and drinking, drug use and impulsive business initiatives. A larger questionnaire of those with infection found that those with infections are more likely to experience smoking, drinking alcohol, and mental health problems. On average, infected individuals earned less than infected.
Science behind
Previous studies have shown that parasite may affect dopamine levels in the brain and affect mood, risk -taking and reaction time. In a study, people with toxoplasmosis had a slightly slow reactions to visual tips, which may explain the increasing risk of collision.
Economic and social effects are important. Research on Acta Psychologica found that infected individuals in the UK earned about £ 2,500 less per year and had an employment rate of 11 percent lower.
A new way to identify it
So far, toxoplasmosis has been diagnosed with blood or salivary tests. However, Dr Garagnani’s team developed an online reaction time tool that can identify possible infection with 97 percent accuracy, according to the News.com.au report.
The test includes a two -minute task where participants respond to color changes on a screen. Researchers measure the speed and ability to maintain the focus, and then compare the results with known infection models.
Who is at risk most?
Although healthy people usually do not show significant symptoms, toxoplasmosis can be dangerous for weak immune systems and pregnant women, because it can cause serious health problems for unmarried infants.
The World Health Organization is still listed as “neglected parasitic infection ,, but recently its focus has shifted to other global health threats, such as tuberculosis.
How can you protect yourself
Experts recommend that you install gloves or masks while holding the cat’s garbage, washing hands thoroughly and avoiding raw meat.
Although the effects of infection are small at an individual level, researchers can have a large -scale effect on society from road safety to workplace efficiency.
