Toxoplasma gondii and multiple sclerosis: a population-based case-control seroprevalence study, Central Anatolia, Turkey.

Abstract

Toxoplasma gondii, an obligate intracellular parasite, is prevalent in various mammalian species, as well as certain avian, reptilian, and cold-blooded organisms. While immunocompetent individuals generally remain asymptomatic, immunocompromised individuals may experience severe and life-threatening conditions. Multiple sclerosis (MS), a chronic autoimmune disease affecting the central nervous system (CNS), is characterized by inflammation, demyelination, and axonal damage. Despite extensive research, the etiology and pathogenesis of MS remain incompletely understood. Given the strong affinity of T. gondii for the CNS, researchers have explored the potential association between T. gondii and autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, type 1 diabetes, and MS. This study aimed to investigate the possible relationship between MS and T. gondii. A population-based incident cohort of MS patients in Sivas, Turkey, was used to randomly select MS patients. Age- and sex-matched controls were also randomly selected from the general population. A total of 182 MS patients and 182 controls were included in the study. Clinical and socio-demographic variables were recorded using a structured questionnaire. Blood samples were collected from MS patients, and Toxoplasma IgG and IgM antibodies were measured using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique. Anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibodies were detected in 78 cases (42.9%) and 73 controls (40.1%) (p>0.05). Age, female sex, and consumption of raw meat were identified as risk factors for toxoplasmosis in both MS patients and controls. In contrast to previous studies, this study did not find a significant difference in T. gondii seropositivity between the control group and MS patients. Further investigations are recommended to elucidate the precise relationship between MS patients and T. gondii.