How cat poo parasite can help entrepreneurs

A brain-dwelling parasite spread to humans by cats may be driving the success of entrepreneurs worldwide, according to a new study.

The researchers classified entrepreneurial behaviour as being characterised by “high risk, high reward” activities - and uncovered a link between such behaviour and Toxoplasma gondii, an organism found in cat excrement that may cause personality changes associated with risk-taking.

The international team of scientists looked at data on almost 1,300 US students and found that those exposed to the parasite were “1.7 times more likely to be majoring in business”, Sky News reports. The infected students were also almost twice as likely to be focusing on “management and entrepreneurship” than other business-related areas, adds BT News.

In addition, analysis of statistics from 42 different countries found that the prevalence of the infection was a “consistent, positive predictor of entrepreneurial activity”, according to the study, published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B. 

The discovery suggests there may be a bizarre advantage to being infected by the parasite, also known as T. gondii.

Study author Dr Stefanie Johnson, from the University of Colorado’s Leeds School of Business, said: “Populations with higher T. gondii infection had greater intentions to start a business and higher levels of active entrepreneurship behaviours.

“Countries with higher T. gondii prevalence generally had a lower fraction of respondents who cited ‘fear of failure’ as a factor preventing them from initiating a business-related enterprise.” 

It isn’t all good news for those infected with the parasite, however. Although it rarely produces physical symptoms other than a mild flu-like illness, T. gondii has been linked to an increase risk of car accidents, neuroticism and suicide, and can cause serious health problems for unborn babies if caught by pregnant women.