Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is a parasite that causes the intestinal disease toxoplasmosis. T gondii is a common parasite that infects over one billion people globally. Toxoplasmosis is transmitted through contaminated food, water, soil and cat feces. Now research reports that probiotics may help prevent and treat parasite infections. Probiotics such as acidophilus and bacillus are beneficial bacteria found in the intestinal flora. Probiotics are known to support GI (gastrointestinal) health and immunity.
The study, published in Cell Host & Microbe, investigated the effect of probiotics on T. gondii infections in mice. Researchers at the University of Texas Southwestern genetically engineered mice to delete the TLR-11 immune protein enzyme. Humans do not have the TLR-11 protein, so the TLR-11 deficient mice model the human immune response. The scientists infected the mice with T. gondii.
The researchers found that the mice's immune systems reacted to T. gondii infection, even though they were TLR-11 deficient. Further analysis revealed that the good bacteria in the mice's intestines activated their immune systems. This produced an immune response against T. gondii.
"While this is very early data, our results suggest that looking at the bacteria present in each patient's gut could help physicians understand their susceptibility to infectious diseases," says researcher Felix Yarovinsky, PhD from the University of Texas Southwestern, in a news release. "It also suggests the possibility of developing novel probiotic strategies for treating parasitic infections such as toxoplasmosis and cryptosporidiosis, a related disease caused by the parasite Cryptosporidium."
Support GI Health with Ectopial
Supplementing with a GI remedy like Progressive Health's Ectopial can support GI health and manage constipation symptoms. The advanced formula contains colon supporting ingredients such as the probiotic Lactobacillus acidophilus, psyllium seed husk, oat bran fiber, slippery elm (inner bark), althea officinalis (marshmallow) and vitamin C. Ectopial's natural nutrients relieve and prevent constipation symptoms and promote GI function without the use of dangerous laxatives.
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