Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2017
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
https://doi.org/10.1515/pterid-2017-0019
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) IgG seropositivity and serointensity have been previously associated with suicidal self-directed violence (SSDV). Although associations with unipolar depression have also been investigated, the results have been inconsistent, possibly as a consequence of high heterogeneity. We have now studied this association in a more homogeneous population, [that is (i.e.) Old Order Amish (OOA)] with previously reported high T. gondii seroprevalence. In 306 OOA with a mean age of 46.1±16.7 years, including 191 (62.4%) women in the Amish Wellness Study, we obtained both T. gondii IgG titers (by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA]), and depression screening questionnaires (Patient Health Questionnaire [PHQ-9] [n=280] and PHQ-2 [n=26]). Associations between T. gondii IgG and dysphoria/hopelessness and anhedonia scores on depression screening questionnaires were analyzed using multivariable linear methods with adjustment for age and sex. Serointensity was associated with both current dysphoria/hopelessness (p=0.045) and current combined anhedonia and dysphoria/hopelessness (p=0.043), while associations with simple anhedonia and past/lifelong (rather than current) phenotypes were not significant. These results indicate the need for larger longitudinal studies to corroborate the association between dysphoria/hopelessness and T. gondii IgG-titers. Current hopelessness is a known risk factor for SSDV which responds particularly well to cognitive behavioral therapy, and may be a focused treatment target for T. gondii-positive individuals at high-risk for SSDV.
Rights Information
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License.
Was this content written or created while at USF?
Yes
Citation / Publisher Attribution
Pteridines, v. 28, issue 3-4, p. 185-194
Scholar Commons Citation
Wadhawan, Abhishek; Dagdag, Aline; Duffy, Allyson; Groer, Maureen; Daue, Melanie L.; Mitchell, Braxton D.; Ryan, Kathy A.; Pollin, Toni I.; Brenner, Lisa A.; Stiller, John W.; Huang, Xuemei; and Lowry, Christopher A., "Positive Association between Toxoplasma Gondii IgG Serointensity and Current Dysphoria/hopelessness Scores in the Old Order Amish: a Preliminary Study" (2017). Nursing Faculty Publications. 187.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/nur_facpub/187
