Abstract
Atherosclerosis is a condition of the hardening of a blood vessel via the development of plaques around the artery wall which causes the artery to narrow, leading to severe complications. Toxoplasmosis is an opportunistic parasitic infection that causes pathological complications in immunocompromised patients, which lead to increase the burden on the immune system in these patients. This study aims to assess the incidence rate of toxoplasmosis in atherosclerosis patients and its potential to change C - reactive protein (C-RP) and vitamin D3 levels. Serum samples (150) were tested for the positivity of anti-Toxoplasma IgG and IgM antibodies by means of Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In addition, C-RP was assessed in all serum samples by means of Latex Fixation Test, while VtD3 was estimated by MiniVidas device. The results revealed that the seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis in atherosclerotic patients was comparatively higher as compared to that in the control group, with significant differences in C-RP and VtD3 levels. These results suggest that the decreased levels of VD3 lead to increase the incidence of T. gondii infection in atherosclerosis patients.
Highlights
A wide range of animals can be infected by the protozoan parasite, Toxoplasma gondii
T. gondii in myocarditis patients could exist with congestive heart failure and arrhythmias [10]
Atherosclerosis is an inflammatory disorder due to the existence of lipids in the vascular walls. This kind of inflammation includes the interaction of vascular wall components, inflammatory cells and lipoproteins, which causes the release of cytokines and eventually increase the acute phase reactants, including fibrinogen and C - reactive protein (C-RP) [11]
Summary
A wide range of animals can be infected by the protozoan parasite, Toxoplasma gondii. Human infection with T. gondii occurs through contaminated soils [1], organ transplant or undercooked meat [2]. This parasitic infection includes an acute phase followed by a latent stage inside tissue cysts. Atherosclerosis is an inflammatory disorder due to the existence of lipids in the vascular walls This kind of inflammation includes the interaction of vascular wall components, inflammatory cells and lipoproteins, which causes the release of cytokines and eventually increase the acute phase reactants, including fibrinogen and C-RP [11]. Anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies were recorded in 73 (73%) atherosclerosis patients and 50 (40%) controls. Anti-T. gondii IgM antibodies were recorded in 5 (5%) atherosclerosis patients and 2 (4%) controls. The seroprevalences of anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies and anti-T. gondii IgM antibodies were significantly higher in the patients than in the controls (P < 0.01) (Tables- 1, 2)
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