Research Study Associates Common Parasite With Higher Risk For Suicide Attempts

According to a study in the August issue of the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry “A cohort study of 84 adults from Sweden showed that those who had been infected with T gondii were seven times more likely to participate in nonfatal, self-directed violence compared with their counterparts who had not been infected.”  T gondii has always been known to be dangerous espically in pregnant women.  It is the causative agent in Toxoplamosis.  It is frequently contracted through eating undercooked meat or comin into contact with cat feces.

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Seasonal Allergies Increase Suicidal Thoughts.

According to MedWire (http://tinyurl.com/allergies-and-suicide 12/23, Davenport)  a history of seasonal allergies is associated with an increased risk for suicide ideation, but not attempts.  Erick Messias (Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, USA) and colleagues explain that previous studies have indicated an association between atopy and mood, and “a seasonality of suicide has also been described.”  The researchers found that a history of seasonal allergies was associated with a statistically significant 1.27-fold increased risk for suicide ideation.  However, a history of seasonal allergies was not associated with a significantly increased risk for suicide attempts, at an odds ratio of 1.17.  Messias and team conclude: “In a large, nationally representative sample of the English speaking US population, history of seasonal allergies was associated with suicidal ideation without attempts.” 

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