CHE Seminar Series: An inexpensive method to measure latent toxoplasmosis and its socioeconomic consequences
An estimated 2 billion humans are affected by the protozoan Toxoplasma gondii. The resulting infection is considered one of the most neglected parasitic infections, and its latent effects have been associated with non-clinical outcomes such as increased traffic accidents and suicides. Current tests involve costly, time-intensive procedures, which limits widespread testing in less-than-wealthy regions, and makes it difficult to study its non-clinical consequences in large samples. We propose a cheap and easy-to-deploy method to estimate latent Toxoplasmosis prevalence using physiological changes in response times. A clinical trial (N=119) showed that the method is sensitive ($92\%$) and specific ($97\%$) compared to testing for Toxoplasma IgG Antibodies ($p<0.0001$, $w=0.85$). A representative UK survey (N=2020) using this method uncovered previously-unknown effects of latent Toxoplasmosis infections which are relevant and pervasive, both economically (decrease in yearly income of 2500 GBP) and psychologically (increase in risky behaviours).
Speaker profile
His research strategy combines both theoretical and empirical methods. He has worked in several subfields including decisions under risk, intertemporal choices, pain, investment behaviour, moral decision making, and voting behaviour.
Michele received his PhD from the University of Zurich under the supervision of Professor Carlos Alós-Ferrer and Professor Ernst Fehr.
Weekly seminar series
As part of our Centre's vibrant research culture, we host a weekly seminar series. Visiting and invited researchers present current research relating to the economics of health and wellbeing, and the healthcare sector. Visitors are welcome to join these sessions where discussion and debate is encouraged.
For further information on our seminar series, please contact shannon.stanwell@monash.edu.
Event Details
- Date:
- 1 May 2024 at 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
- Venue:
- Caulfield campus, Building H, Level 9, Room H9.14
- Categories:
- CHE Seminar; General
Description
An estimated 2 billion humans are affected by the protozoan Toxoplasma gondii. The resulting infection is considered one of the most neglected parasitic infections, and its latent effects have been associated with non-clinical outcomes such as increased traffic accidents and suicides. Current tests involve costly, time-intensive procedures, which limits widespread testing in less-than-wealthy regions, and makes it difficult to study its non-clinical consequences in large samples. We propose a cheap and easy-to-deploy method to estimate latent Toxoplasmosis prevalence using physiological changes in response times. A clinical trial (N=119) showed that the method is sensitive ($92\%$) and specific ($97\%$) compared to testing for Toxoplasma IgG Antibodies ($p<0.0001$, $w=0.85$). A representative UK survey (N=2020) using this method uncovered previously-unknown effects of latent Toxoplasmosis infections which are relevant and pervasive, both economically (decrease in yearly income of 2500 GBP) and psychologically (increase in risky behaviours).
Speaker profile
His research strategy combines both theoretical and empirical methods. He has worked in several subfields including decisions under risk, intertemporal choices, pain, investment behaviour, moral decision making, and voting behaviour.
Michele received his PhD from the University of Zurich under the supervision of Professor Carlos Alós-Ferrer and Professor Ernst Fehr.
Weekly seminar series
As part of our Centre's vibrant research culture, we host a weekly seminar series. Visiting and invited researchers present current research relating to the economics of health and wellbeing, and the healthcare sector. Visitors are welcome to join these sessions where discussion and debate is encouraged.
For further information on our seminar series, please contact shannon.stanwell@monash.edu.