Cat poo parasites to cure human diseases
Cat poo parasites have been in the news lately, specifically Toxoplasma gondii, as they apper to have the potential to treat neurological conditions including Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimers. The key is an engineered strain of Toxoplasma gondii which assists in getting therapies to where they are needed in the brain. This work has been carried out by researchers from the University of Glasgow.
Cat poo parasites to overcome the blood/brain barrier
The blood/brain barrier is a nut that research has been trying to crack for a long time. It’s vital in protecting the brain, but it means that therapies can’t pass through it either. Toxoplasma gondii can move from the human digestive system into the brain with ease. In tests it crossed the blood/brain barrier and delivered proteins to neurons. More experimentation is needed and won’t be available as a treatment for a few years, but it offers great hope.
Cat poo parasites can be harmful
Among other things, reserchers need to make sure that the cat poo parasites die after they’ve done their job, to make sure the treatment doesn’t cause harm to the patient.
It’s not just patients of revolutionary therapies that are at risk. If pregnant women develop toxoplasmosis they can become ill themselves and toxoplasma can be dangerous to the unborn child. Complications include sight and hearing defects and learning difficulties.
What is toxoplasma gondii?
It is a eukaryotic organism:
organisms whose cells have a membrane-bound nucleus. All animals, plants, fungi, and many unicellular organisms are eukaryotes.
It lives mainly in cats’ digestive systems, which is why it ends up in their faeces, and that is the only place it can sexually reproduce. It can infect many warm-blooded animals including humans, and once in it spreads round the body and reaches the brain.
Fascinatingly, toxoplasma infection affects the behaviour of the affected animal, including humans. It seems to make infected rodents less scared of mice and therefore more likely to be caught and eaten, delivery toxoplasma back into its ideal breeding ground.
How do I avoid cat poo parasites?
For anyone not a research scientist working on this, avoiding toxoplasma infection is important. You won’t catch it from regular interaction with your cat, but you do risk coming into contact with it if your cat uses a litter tray. Hygeine is key.
This very helpful article from Cats Protection tells you everything you need to know about the risks and management of them.
