Behavioral changes induced by Toxoplasma infection of rodents are highly specific to aversion of cat odors

摘要: The protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii blocks the innate aversion of rats for cat urine, instead producing an attraction to pheromone; this may increase likelihood a predating rat. This is thought reflect adaptive, behavioral manipulation by in that parasite, although capable infecting rats, reproduces sexually only gut cat. “behavioral manipulation” hypothesis postulates will specifically manipulate host behaviors essential enhancing its own transmission. However, neural circuits implicated fear, anxiety, and learned fear all overlap considerably, raising possibility disrupt these nonspecifically. We investigated conflicting predictions. In mice latent infection converted feline odors into attraction. Such loss remarkably specific, because did not diminish anxiety-like behavior, olfaction, or nonaversive learning. These effects are associated with tendency cysts be more abundant amygdalar structures than those found other regions brain. By closely examining types patterns were predicted altered we show effect chronic highly specific. Overall, study provides strong argument support hypothesis. Proximate mechanisms such manipulations remain unknown, subtle tropism on part remains potent possibility.