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Maternal immune stimulation influences behavior associated with congenital toxoplasmosis
Author(s) -
Hrubec Terry C,
Goodwin David,
Lindsay David S,
Holladay Steven D
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.23.1_supplement.473.1
Subject(s) - toxoplasmosis , toxoplasma gondii , congenital toxoplasmosis , pregnancy , immune system , autism , medicine , fetus , schizophrenia (object oriented programming) , teratology , immunology , pediatrics , physiology , psychiatry , biology , antibody , genetics
The protozoan parasite, Toxoplasma gondii , can have devastating effects on the developing fetus if infection occurs during pregnancy. Congenital toxoplasmosis results in stillbirths, hydrocephalus, blindness, mental retardation, and neurological and behavioral disorders. There is mounting evidence for a link between toxoplasmosis and mental syndromes such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression and possibly autism. In mice, stimulating the maternal immune system during the periconceptual period dramatically reduces teratogen induced birth defects. Previously we demonstrated that maternal immune stimulation prevents fetal mortality from congenital toxoplasmosis. We wished to see if we could prevent toxoplasma induced behavioral changes as well. Pregnant mice were immune stimulated with IFNγ and were then infected with T. gondii tissue cysts. Congenitally infected and control pups were assessed for 31 standard FOB neurobehavioral assessments at 5 and 8 weeks of age. Significant differences in activity level, visual scores and click responses between treatment and gender were observed. These results may lead to development of a treatment or prevention for congenital toxoplasmosis and associated neurobehavioral disorders. Supported by USDA AD‐421 137196.