A mind-controlling cat-loving parasite

I came across a science magazine in the library which features an interesting article on a particular type of parasite known as Toxoplasma gondii. This parasite generally lives and reproduces itself sexually in the intestines of cats. However, it can transmit itself through the urine or feces of cats to other organisms, but is reproduces itself in a slower asexual way when in human beings or in other animals. What is fascinating about this parasite is that it infects the brain of the host organism to make the host organism more susceptible to being eaten by the cat so that it re-transmit itself back to the cat where its reproduction is most optimum. So for example, when it is in the body of a rat, it causes the rat to behave in such a manner that it gets attracted to the cat instead of fearing the cat, or displaying strange behaviors such as being drawn to the smell of cat urine when it usually gets apprehensive on such a smell. Consequently, the rat becomes easier target for being eaten by the cat, thus completing the life cycle of the parasite.

Now, it is posited that the prevalence of such parasite is up to a third of the human population, and up to two-thirds in some countries such as Brazil. It’s effects on human beings are not so clear, but what one researcher drew from his trial is that human subjects with such parasite in them were associated with everything from slowed reaction times to a fondness toward cat urine—to more extreme behaviors such as depression and even schizophrenia. And here’s the kicker: Two different research groups have independently shown that Toxo-infected individuals are three to four times as likely of being killed in car accidents due to reckless driving.

It’s been suggested that Toxoplasma could even explain the eccentric behavior of so-called “cat ladies.”, those cases of irrational hoarding of like 20+ cats, often in squalor, and a tendency toward reclusive, nonsocial behavior.

I am reminded of  the strange case that happened in the Singapore Zoo some years back where a zoo staff climbed over the fence into the tiger’s enclosure and waded across the waters to where the tigers were. He was subsequently mauled to death by the tigers. Could it be the case that the effects of Toxoplasm Gondii were particularly strong in him as to cause him to behave in such a strange manner towards this species of the feline kingdom?

It’s quite an interesting scientific fact. I wonder whether it is the cause for some people’s fondness for the cuteness of cats. And I also ask to what extent some of our predilections are a result of being ‘mind-controlled’ by these types of organisms? Are there other such types of organisms that causes an organism to like dogs? Or even towards certain types of people or human to human relationships?

And considering the prevalence of the infestation of such an organism in human beings, I wonder whether I myself am infected by such parasites. Well, I am not exactly fond of cats, but I would give a neighbourhood cat a pat if it seems particularly amicable towards me. I suppose it does call for suspect if one finds himself particularly attracted to cats.

Anyway, I thought this science fact particularly intriguing. And as the saying goes, sometimes truth can be stranger than fiction.