Serum levels of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) in ocular toxoplasmosis

Abstract

There are no previous study about ocular toxoplasmosis and serum levels of dehydroepiandrosterone sulphated hormone (DHEAS). We use the chemoluminiscence automatized Immulite assay to determine the levels of DHEAS. Four groups were studied: (1) Individuals with chronic asymptomatic infection with a positive test for IgG anti-Toxoplasma and without ocular lesions (n = 16); (2) Chronic asymptomatic patients with retinal scars of retinochoroiditis by Toxoplasma (n = 19); (3) Acute symptomatic patients with active retinochoroiditis by Toxoplasma (n = 26); (4) Individuals with negative assays for IgG anti-Toxoplasma (n = 21). Comparison of DHEAS levels between groups were adjusted by age and sex and non-parametric Kruskall Wallis statistical tests were applied. No significant differences in serum levels of DHEAS were found between groups when age and sex were controlled. DHEAS levels were not significantly different in active ocular toxoplasmosis related to non active or non infected persons.