Whether or not these anecdotes are "interesting," I don't know, but I'll pass
them along. It seems that persons working with Toxoplasma in the lab
(especially the oocyst stage) should assume they will be infected. I remember
one well-known research in the field who had a T-shirt stating, "I'm infected
with toxoplasmosis (sic)". In today's culture, I'm not sure I'd advertise that
fact. As a post-doc (> 20 yr ago), I heard stories in the lab (C.P. Read's
lab) of numerous individuals who tried to infect themselves with Hymenolepis
diminuta --- mostly people who had worked previously in Read's lab. It took in
only a few of the individuals as was lost spontaneously. (No, I didn't try
it!) In Read's lab I also worked with Schistosoma, and upon leaving Read's lab
I had a physical examination. My eosinophil count was about 10%, and the
physician asked me if I had even done a fecal sample on myself. I said no, and
I haven't to this day (live and let live is my motto).
--
Peter W. Pappas, Professor/Chairperson, Department of Zoology,
The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210 USA
E-mail: pappas.3 at osu.edu; FAX (614)-292-2030,
PHONE (614)-292-8088
