Toxoplasma gondii and anxiety disorders in a community-based sample

Abstract A growing body of literature suggests that exposure to the neurotropic parasite Toxoplasma gondii ( T. gondii ) is associated with increased risk of mental disorders, particularly schizophrenia. However, a potential association between T. gondii exposure and anxiety disorders has not been r...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Brain, behavior, and immunity behavior, and immunity, 2015-01, Vol.43, p.192-197
Main Authors: Markovitz, Adam A, Simanek, Amanda M, Yolken, Robert H, Galea, Sandro, Koenen, Karestan C, Chen, Shu, Aiello, Allison E
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Aged
Allergy and Immunology
Anxiety Disorders - etiology
Anxiety Disorders - immunology
Depression
Depressive Disorder - etiology
Depressive Disorder - immunology
Female
Generalized anxiety disorder
Humans
Immunoglobulin G
Infection
Male
Mental health
Middle Aged
Prospective Studies
Psychiatry
PTSD
Toxoplasma
Toxoplasma gondii
Toxoplasmosis - complications
Toxoplasmosis - immunology
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Summary:Abstract A growing body of literature suggests that exposure to the neurotropic parasite Toxoplasma gondii ( T. gondii ) is associated with increased risk of mental disorders, particularly schizophrenia. However, a potential association between T. gondii exposure and anxiety disorders has not been rigorously explored. Here, we examine the association of T. gondii infection with both anxiety and mood disorders. Participants ( n = 484) were drawn from the Detroit Neighborhood Health Study, a population-representative sample of Detroit residents. Logistic regression was used to examine the associations between T. gondii exposure (defined by seropositivity and IgG antibody levels) and three mental disorders: generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression. We found that T. gondii seropositivity was associated with a 2 times greater odds of GAD (odds ratio (OR), 2.25; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.11–4.53) after adjusting for age, gender, race, income, marital status, and medication. Individuals in the highest antibody level category had more than 3 times higher odds of GAD (OR, 3.35; 95% CI, 1.41–7.97). Neither T. gondii seropositivity nor IgG antibody levels was significantly associated with PTSD or depression. Our findings indicate that T. gondii infection is strongly and significantly associated with GAD. While prospective confirmation is needed, T. gondii infection may play a role in the development of GAD.
ISSN:0889-1591
1090-2139
DOI:10.1016/j.bbi.2014.08.001