TWiP 134: Does toxoplasma make you sexy?

Daniel and Vincent solve the case of the Haitian Girl Who Failed To Thrive, and visit two studies that address the question of whether infection with Toxoplasma gondii alters human behavior.

Hosts: Vincent Racaniello and Daniel Griffin

 

Links for this episode: ASM Grant Writing Online Course Is Toxoplasma infection related to brain and behavior impairments? (PLoS One) Toxoplasma infection and sexual attraction (Evol Psychol) TWiP 21 - The giant intestinal worm, Ascaris lumbricoides Candiru (Wikipedia) Image credit Letters read on TWiP 134 Case Study for TWiP 134

Woman in 30s, coming in Colorado to be seen, reports foul smelling loose stools multiple times each day, cramping and nausea. Started a few weeks ago. No fever, summer, no unusual travel, skiing up in mountains, hiking, backpacking. Originally from NE, moved to Colorado one year before. Often drinks from streams. Treats water with iodine. On overnight trips pack food and cook on stoves. Sticky stools, trouble wiping clean. Yes, my stools do float. Color, not as dark. Well formed. No medical problems, no surgeries, no allergies. Takes no medications. Lives alone in private home. Drinks beer, no other toxic habits. None of her friends report similar problems. Sexually active, does not always use protection. Physical exam: unremarkable.

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Music by Ronald Jenkees