INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana (AP) — A brand new research claims that individuals who personal cats are twice as more likely to develop schizophrenia. How is that this potential, and what can we do to guard ourselves and our feline associates?
This is probably going a results of the presence of the parasite Toxoplasma Gondii by cats. With a couple of easy steps, individuals can defend themselves and their cats from from the dangerous results of Toxoplasma Gondii.
Now, over the previous 50 years, some research have discovered a hyperlink between cat possession and schizophrenia. But different research have failed to search out that hyperlink. A brand new evaluation completed by researchers on the University of Queensland in Australia checked out all these research, they usually discovered that individuals uncovered to cats did have roughly twice the chances of growing schizophrenia.
But it’s not cats, per say. It’s actually a parasite known as Toxoplasma Gondii, which cats can transmit to people.
Toxoplasma is a single-celled parasite that causes an an infection known as toxoplasmosis. This is an extremely widespread parasite of heat blooded animals, and its contaminated about one third of the human inhabitants. People can catch this parasite in a number of methods; one, by consuming contaminated meals or water, or two, by unintentionally ingesting the parasite eggs discovered wherever a cat could have gone to the toilet, such because the litter field, backyard or sandbox.
Normally, toxoplasmosis is simply harmful for pregnant individuals, or these with a weakened immune system. But Toxoplasma does persist within the mind, the place it causes irritation that might make some individuals extra vulnerable to schizophrenia.
It’s necessary that individuals study this parasite, however there’s no have to panic and eliminate the one you love feline buddy. Following a couple of easy tips will defend you and your cat from getting toxoplasmosis:
- Keep your cat indoors and don’t feed it uncooked or undercooked meat.
- Change the litter field every day. This will can help you eliminate potential parasite eggs earlier than they mature.
- Wear gloves whereas gardening and wash your palms completely after being outdoor.
- Since Toxoplasma can infect the fetuses, it’s essential that pregnant individuals get another person to wash the litter field.
Bill Sullivan is a professor on the Indiana University School of Medicine who research infectious illness. Courtesy of Campus Insights, AP.
