THE MIND-CONTROLING PARASITE
By:Kiara Hickman
What is it?
Toxolasma Gondii is a single celled brain parasite spread by cats. This parasite ultimate host are cats ( and other domestic felines) because, it is the only place where it reproduce sexually, although they can reproduce asexually in whatever warm blooded animal they want.
Can this parasite get into humans?
Yes, Toxoplasma Gondii can get into humans and other warm-blooded animals. There are four ways this can occur; 1) Eating raw or undercooked meat containing Toxoplasma Gondii tissue cysts. 2) Ingesting water, soil, veggies, or anything contaminated with oocysts shed in the feces of an infected cat. 3) Through transmission from mother to fetus, particularly when Toxoplasma Gondii is contracted during pregnacy, and 4) If you have an organ transplant or get a blood donation and the organ or blood has traces of toxoplasma gondii, there is a chance that you can get it too.
Life Cycle of the Toxoplasma Gondii
Why is it so mind controlling?
Toxoplasma Gondii is called the mind controlling parasite because because when it leaves the cat and goes to another animal it goes to brain and tries to make the animal more likely to be eaten by a cat. For example it can alter behavior of an infected rodent in ways thought to increase the rodents chances of being eaten by a cat.
Toxoplasmosis!
Toxoplasmosis is a disease caused by toxoplasma gondii. This part involes humans, some of the effects differ according to each sex. Men start to become antisocial, more aggressive and suspicious, and their like for women decrease. Women are more intelligent and promiscuous, and thier desire for men increases. Both experience slow reactions-sometimes resulting in more traffic accidents)- and a higher risk of developing schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.
The growth of Toxoplasma Gondii
crazy facts
1) It is a parasitic protozoan
2) Thrirty-sixty percent of the worlds population is infected with Toxoplasma Gondii.
3) Eighty percent of France's population has Toxoplasma Gondii.