Abstract
Background Some research studies linked latent toxoplasmosis and psychiatric diseases. Now the main interest is the probable relation between toxoplasmosis and neurological diseases such as epilepsy and Parkinson’s disease. Aim The aim of this study was to detect the incidence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in patients with idiopathic Parkinson’s disease and correlate it to their blood level of cortisol. Patients and methods This study was conducted on 30 idiopathic Parkinson’s patients, 30 psychiatric patients, and 30 apparently healthy individuals. All participants were administered a questionnaire and subjected to detection of anti-Toxoplasma immunoglobulin M, anti-Toxoplasma immunoglobulin G (IgG), and cortisol blood level using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results Of the 90 cases, 41.11 and 1.11% were positive for anti-Toxoplasma IgG and IgM, respectively. The highest percentage of positive anti-Toxoplasma IgG cases was in the healthy group (46.67%) followed by the Parkinson’s disease group (43.3%). The mean cortisol level was higher in the Parkinson’s group than in other groups but still within normal levels. Contact with cats, drinking unfiltered water, and consuming unwashed raw vegetables were significantly higher in Toxoplasma IgG seropositive Parkinson’s patients. Highest percentage of anti-Toxoplasma IgG-positive cases in the Parkinson’s group was detected in stage 3 of the disease. Conclusion There is a high Toxoplasma seropositivity in association with Parkinson’s disease. T. gondii oocysts may be the most probable main cause of infection in idiopathic Parkinson’s patients, which may worsen the disease. Cortisol level was higher in Parkinson’s patients with no relationship with T. gondii seropositivity.
Published Version
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