Raw or undercooked meat is an important risk factor for parasitic infections like trichinellosis, salmonella and listeria, but more recent research has found an even more sinister link between consuming contaminated meat and health risks.
A study recently published in International Journal of Cancer suggests that a specific parasite found in undercooked meat and dirty water may be associated with a rare form of brain cancer in humans. (Related: The 7 healthiest foods to eat now.)
Research led by James Hodge, of the American Cancer Society, and Anna Coghill, of the cancer epidemiology department at the H. Lee Moffit Cancer Center and Research Institute in Florida, identified Toxoplasma gondii, or T. gondii, as a parasite that can cause cysts and inflammation in the brain, which in turn can lead to highly fatal gliomas.
The study looked at more than 750 people in the United States and Norway, and found that there was a positive association between those who were positive for antibodies to T. gondii, meaning that they had recently been infected with the parasite, and the risk of gliomas. In addition, the association was strongest for those who had a higher number of antibodies.
However, this does not mean that all people who have been exposed to the parasite are at the same risk, the study’s authors said in a statement to the CNN.
“This does not mean that T. gondii definitely causes glioma in all situations. Some people with glioma do not have antibodies against T. gondii and vice versa,” said Hodge. “The findings suggest that individuals with greater exposure to the T. gondii parasite are more likely to develop glioma,” added Coghill. “However, it should be noted that the absolute risk of being diagnosed with glioma remains low, and these findings need to be replicated in a larger and more diverse group of individuals.”
So, what is T. gondii and how does one get it? It is a common parasite that usually infects people when they eat raw meat or raw meat water, but it can also occur from exposure to contaminated cat feces and even be transmitted from mother to child during pregnancy. The resulting infection is called toxoplasmosis, which can cause flu-like symptoms in some, while most never show any signs or symptoms, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Exposure to this parasite is quite common. The CDC estimates that about 11% of the American population aged 6 or older has been infected at some point.
For more information, check out this list of foods that are most likely to cause food poisoning and 7 food safety tips that doctors want you to know. Do not forget Subscribe to our newsletter to receive the latest news on food safety and health right in your inbox.