This parasite which “beheads” sperm | EUROtoday

Sexual transmission?

In 2017, my colleagues and I found that Toxoplasma may also type cysts within the mouse prostate. Researchers have additionally noticed these parasites within the ejaculate many animals, together with in human sperm, evoking the opportunity of sexual transmission.

The proven fact that Toxoplasma is able to residing in male reproductive organs has emerged from new questions concerning the penalties on the fertility of contaminated males. Various analysis groups have tried to make clear this query.

Read too A worm within the mind: Robert Kennedy Jr. shouldn’t be alone in his headIn 2002, a broadcast Chinese research established that the likelihood of detecting an an infection by Toxoplasma Within an infertile couple was a lot larger than in a fertile couple (34.83 % towards 12.11 %). In 2005, different works carried out in China revealed that sterile males usually tend to be examined optimistic for Toxoplasma than fertile males. More not too long ago, a research carried out in Prague in 2021, referring to 163 males contaminated by Toxoplasmarevealed that greater than 86 % had spermatic anomalies.

Having contracted toxoplasmosis doesn’t imply that the standard of the sperm is at all times affected. A Romanian pilot research performed in 2015 on male volunteers with out immunosuppression revealed that 25 % of them had toxoplasmosis.

However, no high quality distinction between their sperm and that of different individuals may have been highlighted. The authors concluded, nevertheless, that the small dimension of the pattern didn’t make it attainable to attract a conclusion as to the systematic absence of consequence of the an infection by Toxoplasma On the standard of the sperm.

Twisted and distorted sperm

Toxoplasmosis in animals is the reflection of an infection in people, which permits researchers to acquire solutions to questions which might be tough to review straight in our species. In mice, rats and rams contaminated by Toxoplasmathe testicular perform and the manufacturing of sperm are drastically decreased. Infected mice have various sperm considerably decrease than regular, in addition to the next proportion of irregular sperm.

The work printed in April 2025 was carried out by groups from Germany, Uruguay and Chile. Scientists have discovered that, in mice, Toxoplasma Can attain the testicles and the epididymis (the canal the place the sperm ripen and are saved) two days after the an infection. This remark pushed them to look at the implications of direct contact between the parasite and human sperm, in vitro.

Read too Do the “apocalypse mushrooms”? Result: after solely 5 minutes of publicity to the parasite, 22.4 % of sperm have been “beheaded”. In addition, the variety of broken sperm elevated as their interactions with parasites have been prolonged.

In addition, the sperm having stored their heads have been typically twisted and distorted. Holes have been discovered within the “heads” of a few of them, suggesting that parasites attempt to invade them as they do for every other kind of cell within the organs they colonize.

Dangerous for pregnant girls

Direct contact shouldn’t be the one manner during which Toxoplasma Can harm sperm. We know that an infection promotes the implementation of continual irritation. However, the inflammatory states of the male reproductive pathways hurt the manufacturing and correct functioning of sperm. According to the authors, the deleterious results that would have Toxoplasma On the sperm would take part within the international issues of male fertility.

In animal fashions, proof displaying that Toxoplasma Can infiltrate male reproductive organs are convincing. It stays to be seen whether or not this case could cause well being issues in people. If the existence of a type of testicular toxoplasmosis confirms that parasites can invade males’s testicles, symptomatic illness could be very uncommon. Studies carried out up to now, which reveal spermatic anomalies in contaminated males, are too restricted for us to attract definitive conclusions at this stage.

In addition, sure works point out that, in excessive earnings international locations, toxoplasmosis charges haven’t elevated in current many years, whereas male infertility has elevated. This remark means that the potential deleterious results linked to an infection by Toxoplasma gondii In any case, solely a part of the issue is.

Read too “There is a very strong interconnection between the human, animal and vegetable santed” Anyway, it’s higher to keep away from being contaminated with Toxoplasma gondii. If the primary contamination happens throughout being pregnant, it will possibly trigger miscarriage or trigger congenital malformations. In addition, the an infection will be deadly for immunocompromised individuals.

To shield your self, you will need to observe some good practices, particularly once you care for your cat: usually clear the litter [avec une eau à plus de 70 °C, NDLR] And then wash your fingers fastidiously.

Hand hygiene can be necessary earlier than the preparation of meals, in addition to after dealing with uncooked meat or greens dirty by earth [pensez également à bien nettoyer les surfaces et les ustensiles de cuisine, NDLR].

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Fruits, greens or fragrant vegetation must be washed with clear water, and meat have to be cooked at an enough temperature earlier than consumption [cuisson à cœur, à plus de 68 °C, NDLR]. Finally, it’s higher to keep away from consuming raw shells, and ingesting untreated water or uncooked milk.

*Bill Sullivan Is a professor of microbiology and immunology on the University of Indiana within the United States.