Behavioral changes in Rattus norvegicus coinfected by Toxocara canis and Toxoplasma gondii

• Published in: Revista do Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo
• Main Authors: Maisa Leite de Queiroz, Tânia Araujo Viel, Cássio Henrique Gomide Papa, Susana A. Zevallos Lescano, Pedro Paulo Chieffi
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Universidade de São Paulo (USP) 2013
• Subjects: Behavioral changes; Toxocara canis; Toxoplasma gondii; Concomitant infections; Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine; RC955-962; Infectious and parasitic diseases; RC109-216; Arctic
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1590/S0036-46652013000100009; https://doaj.org/article/0183c38a0aef4031ad9b88e40bbb6c09

Using an elevated plus maze apparatus and an activity cage, behavioral changes in Rattus norvegicus concomitantly infected by Toxocara canis and Toxoplasma gondii were studied, during a period of 120 days. Rats infected by Toxocara canis or Toxoplasma gondii showed significant behavioral changes; however, in the group coinfected by both parasites a behavioral pattern similar to that found in the group not infected was observed thirty days after infection, suggesting the occurrence of modulation in the behavioral response.