Toxoplasma gondii a parasite found in raw and undercooked meats; unwashed fruits and vegetables; polluted water; dust; soil; dirty cat litter bins; and outdoor areas where cats can be found.
New study suggests link between toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) infection and risk of glioma, a type of brain cancer, in adults. The report, appears in the International Journal of Cancer, finding that people with glioma are more likely to take antibodies T. gondii (indicating that they had a disease before) a similar group free of cancer.
For the study, researchers led by James Hodge, JD, MPH and Anna Coghill, PhD examined the link between T. gondii antibodies were measured several years before the cancer was diagnosed and the risk of glioma improved. Study participants were from the Cancer Society of America-II (CPS-II) Cancer Study Nutrition Joint Group and Janus Serum Bank at the Norwegian Cancer Registry (Janus). T. gondii it is a common parasite commonly found in uncooked meat, and can lead to the formation of cysts in the brain. These findings suggest that reduced exposure to this food-borne pathogen may be a variable risk factor for highly invasive brain tumors in adults.
Although glioma is a relatively rare disease, it is a very deadly cancer. Globally in 2018, there were approximately 300,000 incident cases and 241,000 deaths due to cancers of the brain and other nervous system. The majority (80%) of malignant brain tumors are gliomas, and the average five-year survival rate is 5% net.
The study notes a link between T. gondii antibodies and glioma were similar in two different groups of people: the CPS-II cases were about 70 years old at the time of bleeding, while those in the Janus cohort were about 40 years old.
“It doesn’t mean that T. gondii definitely causing glioma in all cases. Some people with glioma do not have it T. gondii antibodies, and vice versa, ”notes Hodge.
“The findings show that people with greater transparency are involved T. gondii a parasite is more likely to develop glioma, ”said Coghill. “However, it should be noted that the overall risk of experiencing glioma remains low, and these findings need to be replicated in a larger and more diverse group of people. ”
The authors note, “if future studies repeat these conclusions, continued efforts to reduce knowledge of this common pathogen would provide a substantial first chance. to prevent this invasive brain tumor. “
Information: “Toxoplasma Gondii Adult glioma disease and risk in two prospective studies ”by Hodge JM, Coghill AE, Kim Y, Bender N, Smith-Warner S, Gapstur S, Terrace LR, Grimsrud TK, Waterboer T, Egan KM, 11 January 2021, International Journal of Cancer.
DOI: 10.1002 / ijc.33443