Researchers learn dangerous brain parasite 'orders in' for dinner

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2019-06-dangerous-brain-parasite-dinner.html ^ | June 19, 2019 | Christina Griffiths, Indiana University

[ConservativeMind]

Researchers at Indiana University School of Medicine have discovered how a dangerous parasite maintains a steady supply of nutrients while replicating inside of its host cell: it calls for delivery.

Toxoplasma gondii is a single-celled parasite capable of infecting any animal, including humans. Up to one-third of infections in people happen through contact with cat waste or contaminated food or water. Although the parasite only causes acute disease in immune compromised persons, the infection is permanent and has been associated with neurological diseases such as schizophrenia and rage disorder.

The parasite can invade virtually all types of cells in the body. Once inside, it begins to divide exponentially, a process that requires a great deal of resources. The parasite extracts most of the nutrients it needs for replication from its host cell, including essential amino acids like arginine. Because arginine is quickly depleted from the host cell, researchers wanted to learn where the parasite gets more of the amino acid to fuel its expansion into the hundreds.

A collaborative study identified a cellular starvation stress response that occurs within two hours after Toxoplasma infection.

These findings suggest infected host cells can sense their nutrients being depleted. Oblivious to the parasites growing inside them, the host cells unwittingly gear up to bring in more arginine to compensate for the loss. The identification of proteins like GCN2 that are important for parasite growth and replication may serve as promising new drug targets to treat intracellular pathogens.

"Pathogens that live and grow inside of cells face special challenges," Sullivan said. "Intracellular pathogens have to replicate without raising alarms, but in order to grow they need to pilfer nutrients from the host. Our study shows that Toxoplasma gets additional nutrients simply by hijacking a starvation response already built into the host cell."

[ConservativeMind]

I’ve read 40% of French persons have T. Gondii.

Easily have of cat owners here have it, too.

Lifetime infection without cure. Can change personalities, too.

[Big Red Badger]

Cat Lady Syndrome,
Okay,
Next!

[BenLurkin]

[Amberdawn]

Leftist cat ladies anyone?

[Secret Agent Man]

Crazy cat ladies. Brains getting eaten out by t. gondii.

[SunkenCiv]

"Pathogens that live and grow inside of cells face special challenges," Sullivan said.

Yeah, I'm sure we're all worried about them too. Thanks ConservativeMind.

[SunkenCiv]

http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/toxoplasmagondii/index

[thoughtomator]

> has been associated with neurological diseases such as schizophrenia and rage disorder

I believe these may be being mistaken for COTDS (Cat Owner Traumatic Stress Disorder).

[NativeSon]

Stay back!

[Bob434]

[[> has been associated with neurological diseases such as schizophrenia and rage disorder]]

Definitely sounds like liberals are huge cat owners then-

[AnotherUnixGeek]

Toxoplasma gondii is a single-celled parasite capable of infecting any animal, including humans.

This is the parasite that makes rats and mice lose their fear of cats, and in fact makes them seek out cats. The parasite wants to get to cats, so it re-wires the brains of mice and rats, leading them down the gullet of some hungry cat.

Creepier than anything in a Ridley Scott movie.

[Bullish]

What we really need a cure for are the parasites known as liberals.

[Big Red Badger]

Kitty’s,
So Cute!

[thoughtomator]

Nya? Nyaaaaa!