The Association of Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Breast and Colorectal Cancer Patients

Abstract

Toxoplasma gondii is an obligatory intracellular protozoan parasite which is a major opportunistic pathogen in patients who are immunocompromised that having cancer disease. Little is known about the epidemiology of T. gondii infection in patients who are immunocompromised. This study investigate the possible association of T. gondii infection with cancer disease via determining the seropositivity rate of anti T. gondii antibodies (IgG and IgM) in Iraqi patients infected with breast and colorectal cancer and investigate the level of IL-6 in the studying groups. Overall 223 women serum samples that included 112 healthy controls samples and 111 samples with breast cancer (CA. Breast) and colorectal cancer (CA. CRC) enrolled in this study. The participants were tested for T. gondii immunoglobulins (IgG and IgM) antibodies and (IL-6) levels. The results showed that 86 (77.46%) cancer sample out of 111 samples and 23 (20.54%) out of 112 control samples were positive to anti T. gondii IgG. The seropositive rate of anti T. gondii IgG in CA. Breast and CA. CRC patients (77.50%, 77.42%) respectively compared with control group (20.54%). The present results revealed that the higher percentages for anti-T. gondii IgG and IL-6 titer was among patients with CA. Breast and CA. CRC whose are seropositive to anti T. gondii IgG. In regard to the tumor size, higher mean levels of IgG and IL-6 was shown in the tumor size (> 5 cm). Concerning to the tumor stages, the highest mean titer of IgG and IL-6 in patients with CA. Breast and CA.CRC whose are seropositive to anti-T. gondii IgG was in stage (IIIC). According to the grade status, the highest mean titer of IgG Abs and IL-6 was in patients with CA. Breast and CA.CRC whose are seropositive to anti-T. gondii IgG was in grade (G3). The increased levels of anti-T. gondii IgG and IL-6 was significantly higher in CA. Breast and CA. CRC patients that infected with T. gondii compare with healthy control. Thus, anti-T. gondii IgG test and circulating levels of inflammatory cytokines has to be taken into consideration as markers for staging of the cancers.