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Preliminary Serological Evidence of Toxocara canis and Toxoplasma gondii Exposure Among Very Elderly Neuropsychiatric Patients in Taiwan.

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Preliminary Serological Evidence of Toxocara canis and Toxoplasma gondii Exposure Among Very Elderly Neuropsychiatric Patients in Taiwan.
Authors: Weng, Hui‐Wen (AUTHOR), Hung, Ching‐Sheng (AUTHOR), Ou, Tsong‐Yih (AUTHOR), Chou, Chia‐Mei (AUTHOR), Fan, Chia‐Kwung (AUTHOR)
Source: International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry. Jan2026, Vol. 41 Issue 1, p1-3. 3p.
Subjects: Outpatient services in hospitals, Nematode infections, Nematodes, Pilot projects, Immunoglobulins, Vascular dementia, Neurobehavioral disorders, Protozoan diseases, Agglutination tests, Environmental exposure, Western immunoblotting, Research, Psychoses, Anxiety disorders, Parasites
Geographic Terms: Taiwan
Abstract: The article focuses on a pilot serological survey investigating the potential link between chronic exposure to neurotropic parasitic infections, specifically Toxoplasma gondii and Toxocara canis, and neuropsychiatric conditions in very elderly individuals. Conducted in Taipei, Taiwan, the study included 14 neuropsychiatric outpatients, revealing that 14.3% tested positive for T. canis and 7.1% for T. gondii, with all seropositive cases occurring in patients diagnosed with dementia-related disorders. The findings suggest a possible association between parasitic exposure and neurodegenerative conditions, although the small sample size and lack of a control group limit the conclusions. The authors advocate for further research to explore the implications of infectious exposures in geriatric psychiatry. [Extracted from the article]
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Database: Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection
Description
Abstract:The article focuses on a pilot serological survey investigating the potential link between chronic exposure to neurotropic parasitic infections, specifically Toxoplasma gondii and Toxocara canis, and neuropsychiatric conditions in very elderly individuals. Conducted in Taipei, Taiwan, the study included 14 neuropsychiatric outpatients, revealing that 14.3% tested positive for T. canis and 7.1% for T. gondii, with all seropositive cases occurring in patients diagnosed with dementia-related disorders. The findings suggest a possible association between parasitic exposure and neurodegenerative conditions, although the small sample size and lack of a control group limit the conclusions. The authors advocate for further research to explore the implications of infectious exposures in geriatric psychiatry. [Extracted from the article]
ISSN:08856230
DOI:10.1002/gps.70192