FEATURES OF THE IMPACT OF TOXOPLASMOSIS ON HUMAN BEHAVIOR

Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic infection caused by the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii. This parasite can infect both humans and animals, including birds and mammals. Toxoplasmosis is one of the most common parasitic infections worldwide. Toxoplasma gondii is the most common parasitic disease in developed countries. According to scientists, up to 90% of cats and dogs around the world are affected by toxoplasmosis pathogens. The toxoplasma infection rate is particularly high among rodents. In synanthropic foci, the source of infection is cattle, sheep, goats, camels, horses, donkeys, pigs, carnivores, ducks, geese, turkeys, guinea fowls, parrots and other animals. Toxoplasmosis can occur in acute and chronic forms, affecting the nervous and lymphatic systems, liver, spleen, and eyes. Toxoplasmosis is most dangerous in people with a weakened immune system, as it is acute and can damage the brain. When interviewing infected and healthy people, several differences in human behavior were found. Possible mechanisms by which T. gondii can affect human behavior include its effects on dopamine and testosterone.