Psychiatria pre prax 2/2015

Neuropsychiatric complications of selected parasitic diseases

Parasitic diseases have been spread significantly among the adults. They can induce serious neurological and psychiatric disorders if they are left unrecognized. Early recognition and treatment reduce morbidity and prevent the development of CNS structural changes. It is the specific localization of Toxoplasma gondii andToxocara canis et catiinvasion. They target neural, endocrine, neuromodulatory and imunomodulatory systems. Increased dopamine activity in hippocampus and influenced impaired learning processes and memory are the main mechanisms of the neuropsychiatric complications.The relation between schizophrenia and increased toxoplasma antibodies level was found as far as the OCD symptoms. Neuropsychiatric manifestation is rarely specific. The most clinically important are: epilepsy, dementia, cognitive and affective impairment. The case presentation, as the rare example, contributes to better diagnostic process and knowledge of the psychiatrists.

Keywords: Toxoplasma gondii, Toxocara cati,schizophrenia development, parasitic invasion, cognitive impairment, cerebral toxocarosis, parasite advancement, CNS inflammatory activity, neuropsychiatric complications.