The Effect of Toxoplasma gondii Parasite on Patients With Schizophrenia: A Review

ABSTRACT Background : One of the most prevalent intracellular protozoan parasites, is Toxoplasma gondii, which can infect humans as well as a variety of mammals and is the main cause of toxoplasmosis. During the acute stage, the parasite infects numerous organs, and it then selectively creates cysts in the brain, which causes many psychological disorders, including schizophrenia. Aim of the study : This review's objective is to shed light on toxoplasmosis caused by the T. gondii parasite and its association with neurological disorders, such as schizophrenia. Conclusion : Numerous studies indicate that T. gondii, once localized in the brain, can increase the amount of dopamine that is available for processing motivation and pleasure. Certain alterations in the chemical messengers are employed by the connection between neurons in the brain. It was shown that schizophrenia, depression, suicide attempts, and other neuropsychiatric disorders are all related to seropositivity for the intracellular parasite, T. gondii.