Gondii Infection In Patients Research Articles

Seroprevalence and sociodemographic characteristics of Toxoplasma gondii infection in patients with psychiatric disorders in Malaysia

Toxoplasma gondii is a neurotropic protozoan parasite that affects neuronal processing in the brain. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of T. gondii infection in psychiatric disorder patients. We also investigated the potential association between sociodemographic, clinical manifestation, and behavior of Toxoplasma-seropositive patients with psychiatric disorders. Commercial ELISAs (IgG, IgM, and IgG avidity) using serum and PCR using buffy coat were performed on samples from 54 individuals in each of the following groups: patients diagnosed with depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia, as well as psychiatrically healthy subjects (control group). They were recruited from the Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia in Kelantan, Malaysia. Of 54 patients with depressive disorder, 24/54 (44.4 %) were seropositive for IgG, and four (16.7 %) were IgG+/IgM+. Among the latter, a high avidity index indicating a past infection was observed in half of the samples (50.0 %), and the other half (50.0 %) showed a low avidity index, indicating a possible recent infection. Meanwhile, 30/54 (55.6 %) patients with bipolar disorder were seropositive for IgG+, five (16.7 %) were IgG+/IgM+, and four of them had a high avidity index, and one had a low avidity index. Patients with schizophrenia showed 29/54 (53.7 %) seropositive for IgG, two of them (6.9 %) were IgG+/IgM+; one of latter had a high avidity index, and one had a low avidity index. Of 54 people in the control group, 37.0 % (20/54) were seropositive for T. gondii IgG antibodies. However, no significant difference was observed in seroprevalence between the control group and each patient group. No PCR-positive results were documented. A Chi-Square and multiple logistic regression showed that age (p = 0.031), close contact with cats/pets (p = 0.033) and contact with soil (p = 0.012) were significantly associated with Toxoplasma seropositivity in patients with psychiatric disorders. Additional research is needed to elucidate the causal relationships and underlying mechanisms.

Seroepidemiology of Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Patients with Liver Disease in Southeastern Iran.

Recent research has been concentrated on investigating the involvement of Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) in the progression of liver disorders. This study aims to investigate the prevalence of T. gondii infection in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), as well as the effects of toxoplasmosis infection on biological biomarkers such as aspirate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), cholesterol (Chol), and triglyceride (Tg) levels in Sistan, southeast Iran. A case-control study was conducted between December 2021 and September 2022. The study included 225 patients diagnosed with NAFLD as the case group and 225 healthy blood donors as the control group. The controls were selected from the same region and were matched with the patients based on gender and age. We collected serum samples from all patients and utilized an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to analyze them for the existence of anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies. A questionnaire and medical records were utilized to gather data on the patient's demographic factors. The prevalence of anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies were 68 (30.2%) in patients with NAFLD, whereas it was 11 (4.88%) in the control group. The seroprevalence of T. gondii in NAFLD patients increased in correlation with age (P < 0.001). The prevalence of NAFLD was significantly greater in the seropositive group compared to the seronegative group (P < 0.001). In addition, the levels of the metabolic markers Chol and Tg were significantly higher in T. gondii seropositive NAFLD patients compared to T. gondii seronegative NAFLD patients. The findings of this study indicate a high seroprevalence of T. gondii in patients with NAFLD. Further studies are warranted to investigate the underlying mechanisms and potential therapeutic implications of this association.

Comparison of immunological and molecular methods for laboratory diagnosis of ocular toxoplasmosis in blood, serum and tears in Brazil.

Ocular toxoplasmosis (OT) is caused by protozoan T. gondii. Ophthalmological examination is considered the gold standard for OT diagnosis, and laboratory tests are used for diagnostic confirmation. However, these tests can present different results, which change depending on their basis, on sample type and on patients' clinical alteration. Thus, the aim of the present study is to assess immunodiagnostic and molecular techniques applied in blood, serum and tear fluid to diagnose T. gondii infection in patients seen at an Ophthalmology Clinic. In total, 160 patients were included in the study, 40 of them had OT with active lesions (G1); 40 had OT with healed lesions (G2), 40 had non-toxoplasmic uveitis (G3) and 40 had no ocular alterations (G4). Serum samples were subjected to Immunoenzymatic Assay (ELISA) and to Indirect Immunofluorescence Reaction (IFAT) to search for anti-T. gondii IgM and IgG. Tear fluid samples were analyzed through ELISA for IgA research. All blood and tear fluid samples were subjected to conventional polymerase chain reaction (cPCR) and in a Nested PCR model for T. gondii DNA amplification with targets B1, GRA7 and REP 529. IgG and IgM anti-T. gondii was detected in serum samples from 106 and 15 patients, respectively, when combining ELISA and IFAT results. Anti-T.gondii IgA antibodies were detected in 9.2% of the tear material. Nested PCR with GRA7 target showed higher positivity in blood samples (24.4%); Nested PCR with B1 target showed a higher frequency of positivity in tears (15%). Biological samples of patients with active lesions showed the highest positivity frequencies in all immunodiagnostic assays, as well as in most PCR models. The present results highlighted the need of associating techniques with different fundamentals to confirm OT diagnosis. Furthermore, further tear fluid analyses should be performed to validate this biological material as lesser invasive alternative for the more accurate OT diagnosis.

Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Patients with Cardiovascular Diseases from Western Romania: A Case-Control Study.

(1) Background: Toxoplasma gondii infects approximately one third of the world's human population. The seroepidemiology of T. gondii in cardiovascular patients is poorly discussed in the existing literature. We aimed to evaluate, for the first time, the seroprevalence of T. gondii in cardiovascular patients from Western Romania. (2) Methods: Serologic testing to demonstrate the presence of T. gondii antibodies was conducted in 256 patients with cardiovascular diseases and 261 matched blood donors. (3) Results: The overall seroprevalence of T. gondii antibodies was 64.06% in patients with cardiovascular diseases and 52.88% in blood donors and tended to increase with age in both groups. The seroprevalence of T. gondii antibodies was significantly higher in cardiovascular male patients (69.94%) compared to male blood donors (55.69%) (p = 0.006). When compared to the control group, a significantly higher prevalence of T. gondii antibodies was found among patients with hypertension (82.35%; p = 0.01) and unstable angina (67.56%; p = 0.02). (4) Conclusions: This study brings new epidemiological information on the prevalence of T. gondii in Romanian cardiovascular patients. T. gondii seroprevalence was significantly higher in patients with hypertension and unstable angina, suggesting that individuals with these diagnoses may be more frequently infected with T. gondii. This study may be a valuable starting point for further research to better evaluate the impact of T. gondii exposure on patients with cardiovascular diseases.

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection among patients of a tertiary hospital in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, PR China.

This study aimed to explore the prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) among patients in Guangzhou city, South China, and to identify susceptible patient populations and analyze the causes of infection differences. From May 2020 to May 2022, a total of 637 sera were collected from patients, and 205 sera were collected from health participants as health control. All sera were examined by colloidal gold kits to detect the positivity of antibodies against T. gondii. And the positivity of antibodies in sera was confirmed with ARCHITECT i2000SR system. The prevalence of T. gondii infection in patients was 7.06% (45/637), which was lower than the prevalence in health participants 4.88% (10/205). Among patients, 34 (5.34%) were positive only for IgG, 10 (1.57%) were only for IgM, and 1 (0.16%) was positive for both IgG and IgM. There was a significant difference in prevalence between male and female patients, but not among different age groups or diseases groups. The prevalence of T. gondii infection in diseases groups varied. The prevalence was relatively high in patients with the disorders of thyroid gland and the malignant neoplasms of digestive organs, which suggests that caution should be taken to avoid T. gondii infection in these patients. Surprisingly, the prevalence was quite low in diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma (DLBC) patients. This may be due to the overexpression of TNF-α in tumor tissues of DLBC patients and the higher protein level of TNF-α in sera of DLBC patients. This study provides a systematic exploration of the prevalence of T. gondii infection in patients in a tertiary hospital. Our data contributes to a better understanding of the epidemic investigation of T. gondii among patients in South China, which can help the prevention and treatment of the disease caused by T. gondii infection.

Case report: 29-year-old male with Hemichorea-hemiballismus as the initial manifestation caused by cerebral Toxoplasmosis with diagnostic of HIV without treatment

Background: The hemichorea and hemiballismus are movement disorder rare related to toxoplasmosis gondii infection in patients with HIV. Objective: Describe the case of a male patient know as HIV positive without antiretroviral treatment with first manifestation was right side hemichorea-hemiballism. Material and Methods: Case report. Results: 29-year-old male known to have HIV for 4 years, without antiretroviral treatment. He went to the emergency room presenting involuntary movements in the right side of his body that sedate when sleeping. On neurological examination appear to be normal; only with the presence of abnormal movements characterized by non-rhythmic, large-amplitude, violent and sometimes choreiform movements in the right side of the body. In a brain MRI study in T1 sequence with contrast, he presented a lesion that captures contrast medium in the form of a closed ring at the level of the left basal nucleus. He receives treatment for toxoplasmosis with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and pyrimethamine- clindamycin. The hemichorea- hemiballism was treated with haloperidol, aripiprazole, clonazepam, having clinical and radiological improvement. Conclusion: The hemichorea- hemiballism is a neurological manifestation unfrequently related to toxoplasmosis HIV positive. Treatment for toxoplasmosis, movement disorder, and antiretroviral therapy should be started promptly.

Toxoplasma gondii infection in patients with brain tumors in Southern Iran: a case-control study.

Considerable evidence points to a dominant role of inflammation in tumor pathology. The biological response of the immune system can be triggered by Toxoplasma gondii as a common brain-tropic parasite. The aim of this study was to investigate an association between Toxoplasma infection and brain tumors. This case-control study was performed on sera of brain tumor patients (n = 124) and age- and sex-matched control subjects (n = 124) in Southern Iran. Data related to tumor site and type were collected during sample collection. Anti-Toxoplasma IgG was assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Seroprevalence anti-Toxoplasma IgG was significantly higher in brain tumor patients 30.6% (38/124) compared with 12.1% (15/124) of the healthy controls (OR 3.211; 95% CI 1.658 to 6.219; p = 0.001). The highest seroprevalence was detected in patients with ependymoma (100%), followed by glioblastoma (83%), pituitary adenoma (47.3%), astrocytoma (27.2%), schwannoma (23%), and meningioma (22.6%). The parasite infection was correlated to brain tumor's location i.e., the patients with frontal lobe and sella region tumors had higher seropositivity compared with others (P < 0.05). The higher prevalence of Toxoplasma infection among patients with brain tumor compared with the control group indicates a probable association between the infection and brain tumors.

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in women with a gynecological tumor living in eastern China.

The association between Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) infection and malignancy has attracted increased attention in recent years, but little is known of T. gondii infection among women diagnosed with a gynecological tumor (GT) in China. We conducted a case-control study involving 460 women diagnosed with a GT and 460 age-matched healthy controls (HCs) to estimate the infection process of T. gondii and understand the risk factors of T. gondii infection in patients with a GT. Levels of anti-T. gondii IgG and IgM were measured by enzyme-linked immunoassays every 12 months. After a median follow-up time of 4.3 years (range 4 to 5 years), 55/460 (11.96%) patients with a GT and 15/460 (3.26%) HCs were seroprevalence for T. gondii antibodies, respectively (P = 0.001). IgG antibodies against T. gondii were found in 54 GT patients (11.74%) and 15 HCs (3.26%), respectively (P = 0.001). The seroprevalence of T. gondii IgM antibodies was similar in patients with a GT and with HCs (2.83% vs 1.3%, P = 0.105). Multivariate stepwise logistic regression analysis revealed contact with cats (OR, 6.67; 95% CI [2.89-10.75]; P = 0.001), exposure to soil (OR, 2.16; 95% CI [1.14-4.10]; P = 0.019), being a farm-worker (OR, 4.17; 95% CI [1.20-11.49]; P = 0.006) and history of chemotherapy (OR, 3.16; 95% CI [1.56-6.45]; P = 0.001) to be independent risk factors for T. gondii infection. Women with an ovarian cancer or endometrial cancer had higher T. gondii seroprevalence than that of HCs. Moreover, T. gondii infection in patients with a GT mostly acquired within two years of diagnosis, but the infection in healthy controls had no obvious time characteristics. Here, we demonstrated that T. gondii infection is significantly higher in patients with a GT (especially in women with an ovarian tumor) compared to HCs. Thus, infection with this parasite should be avoided in patients with a GT, and the causal relationship between T. gondii and GTs should be studied in detail.

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii among hemodialysis patients: A possible link to main T-lymphocyte subsets levels and dialysis adequacy

BackgroundA high prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection has been reported in patients with hemodialysis (HD). However, a lack of data exists on the relationship between T lymphocyte subsets and dialysis adequacy. This study aimed to investigate the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection among HD patients and its relation to T lymphocyte cells subsets, CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD4+/CD8+ ratio, and HD adequacy. MethodsThis cross-sectional comparative study was conducted on 92 subjects. Of them, 42 HD patients and 50 were control participants. Anti-Toxoplasma gondii IgG, IgM antibodies, the T lymphocyte cells subset CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD4+/CD8+ ratio, and adequacy of dialysis via calculation of Kt/V were detected for all subjects. ResultsThe seropositivity for anti-Toxoplasma gondii IgG antibodies was significantly higher in HD patients 66.7% (28/42) compared to 34% in controls (17/50), (p = 0.0003). The main T lymphocyte subsets was significantly lower in HD compared to controls (p < 0.05). Seropositive HD patients exhibited statistically significantly lower T lymphocyte cell subsets and CD4+/CD8+ ratio compared to seronegative patients (p < 0.05). There was a negative correlation between anti-Toxoplasma gondii IgG level and T lymphocyte subsets and the CD4/CD8+ ratio. Binary logistic regression showed that CD4+ T cell significantly predicts Toxoplasma gondii susceptibility among HD patients (p = 0.03). The mean Kt/V index is significantly lower among seropositive HD patients compared to seronegative HD patients (1.05 ± 0.46, 1.41 ± 0.53, respectively, p = 0.03) with a significant negative correlation with anti-Toxoplasma gondii IgG level (p < 0.05). ROC curve analysis showed the CD4+ T cell % had the highest AUC value among HD patients (AUC= 0.88, p < 0.001). The Kt/V value of ≤ 0.8 significantly predicted susceptibility to Toxoplasma gondii infection among HD patients (AUC = 0.68, p = 0.03). ConclusionThe current study reinforces previous reports of a high prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection among HD patients. CD4+ T cell and Kt/V showed a good diagnostic performance in predicting susceptibility for Toxoplasma gondii infection in HD patients. Considering the clinical consequences caused by Toxoplasma gondii infection in these patients, regular screening and adequate HD are recommended.

Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Patients with Psychiatric Disorders from Western Romania.

Background and Objectives: High rates of infection with Toxoplasma gondii were found in psychiatric patients globally. In this study, we assessed for the first time the prevalence of T. gondii infection in psychiatric patients and healthy individuals with no known psychiatric disorders in Western Romania. Materials and Methods: The presence of specific IgG anti-T. gondii antibodies was evaluated in 308 psychiatric patients and 296 control subjects using a chemiluminescence assay. Results: Overall, the seroprevalence of IgG antibodies was higher in psychiatric patients (67.86%; 209/308), compared with the control group (54.05%; 160/296) (p < 0.001). Our results revealed a significantly higher prevalence of T. gondii antibodies among patients with schizophrenia (69.77%), organic (personality and behaviour) disorders (76.74%), and mental disorders concerning alcohol abuse (84.62%), compared with the control group (p = 0.009, p = 0.005, p = 0.043, respectively). Conclusions: This study provides new and important information on the seroprevalence of T. gondii in Romanian psychiatric patients and may serve for further scientific research regarding the status of T. gondii infection in patients with psychiatric disorders.

Increased Risk of Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Patients with Colorectal Cancer in Eastern China: Seroprevalence, Risk Factors, and a Case-Control Study.

The aim of this study was to explore the epidemiology of Toxoplasma gondii infection in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) in eastern China. Therefore, 287 primary CRC patients and 287 age-matched healthy control subjects were recruited to estimate the seroprevalence of T. gondii and identify the risk factors of infection. Enzyme-linked immunoassays were used to test for anti-T. gondii immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgM antibodies. Forty-six (16%) samples were positive for anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies in patients with CRC, compared with 26 (9.1%) in the healthy controls, a significant difference (P = 0.007). By contrast, eight (2.8%) patients tested positive for T. gondii IgM antibodies, compared with three (1.1%) in the controls, a difference that was not significant (P = 0.13). Multivariable backward stepwise logistic regression analysis revealed that a rural residence (OR 2.83; 95% CI 1.15–7.01; P = 0.024) and treatment with chemotherapy (OR 2.16; 95% CI 1.02–4.57; P = 0.045) were risk factors for T. gondii infection in patients with CRC. Thus, T. gondii infection is serious in patients with CRC, and a rural residence and treatment with chemotherapy are independent risk factors for infection by this parasite. Therefore, medical professionals should be aware of this pathogen in patients with CRC, and the causes of T. gondii infection in these patients need to be explored further.

Toxoplasma gondii infection in patients with lung diseases in Shandong province, eastern China

Toxoplasma gondii, an intracellular protozoan parasite, can induce various clinical symptoms. T. gondii has been considered to play an important role in the pathogenesis of lung diseases. This survey was conducted to explore the correlation between T. gondii infection and lung diseases through a case-control study carried out in Shandong province, eastern China. In the present survey, T. gondii IgG antibodies were found in 76/398 (19.10%) of patients with lung diseases, which was significantly higher (P < 0.001) than the level found in the control subjects (35/398; 8.79%) through serological diagnosis. Patients with lung cancer have the highest T. gondii seroprevalence (26.19%), followed by Pulmonary cyst (25.00%), Tuberculosis (17.07%), Pneumonia (16.33%) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (16.05%). Moreover, a semi-nest PCR targeted T. gondii B1 gene was employed to detect the T. gondii DNA in the blood samples. T. gondii DNA was detected in 5.53% blood samples of patients with lung diseases and 2.51% control subjects, respectively. The present study firstly shows that T. gondii has a high probability to infect the patients with lung diseases. Thus, the potential presence of T. gondii in patients with lung diseases should be appreciated during in the course of treatment and safeguard procedures should be implemented to protect vulnerable patients with lung diseases.

Evaluation of Serological and Molecular Tests Used for the Identification of Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Patients Treated in an Ophthalmology Clinic of a Public Health Service in São Paulo State, Brazil.

Ocular toxoplasmosis is one of the most common complications caused by the infection with the parasite Toxoplasma gondii. The risk of developing eye lesions and impaired vision is considered higher in Brazil than other countries. The clinical diagnosis is difficult and the use of sensitive and specific laboratorial methods can aid to the correct diagnosis of this infection. We compared serological methods ELISA and ELFA, and molecular cPCR, Nested PCR and qPCR for the diagnosis of T. gondii infection in groups of patients clinically evaluated with ocular diseases non-toxoplasma related (G1 = 185) and with lesions caused by toxoplasmosis (G2 = 164) in an Ophthalmology clinic in Brazil. Results were compared by the Kappa index, and sensitivity (S), specificity (E), positive predictive value (PPV), and negative (NPV) were calculated. Serologic methods were in agreement with ELISA more sensitive and ELFA more specific to characterize the acute and chronic infections while molecular methods were discrepant where qPCR presented higher sensitivity, however, lower specificity when compared to cPCR and Nested PCR.

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasmosis in patients with chronic liver disease in Baghdad

The influence of Toxoplasma gondii in the pathogenesis of hepatic disease has lately had considerable attention. The objective of this study is to assess the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection in patients with chronic liver disease from Baghdad-Iraq. All patients have attended Gastroenterology and Hepatology Teaching Hospital, Medical city in Baghdad, Iraq An analytical case–control study was achieved from September to November 2018. Seventy male patients with chronic liver disease (CLD) and 70 control males (free of chronic liver diseases) participated in this study, their ages were between (18-80) years old. Serum samples were taken from all subjects and were analysed with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the presence of anti-T.gondii IgG and IgM antibodies. The prevalence of anti-T.gondii IgG was significantly higher 62.85% in CLD patients compared with 27.28% in the control subjects. Anti-T. gondii IgM antibodies were also showed to be significantly higher in CLD patients compared with control subjects. A significant relation between age and the prevalence of T.gondii was reported in this study. Toxoplasmosis was largely reported among those aged (˃40) years old for both CLD patients and control subjects, while the other age groups showed less seroprevalence rates.&#x0D; Sera samples for both CLD patients and control subjects were tested for different liver enzyme: aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). ALT was greater in CLD-Toxoplasma positive patients comparing to CLD-Toxoplasma negative patients. In addition to AST was higher in control-Toxoplasma positive subjects comparing to control-Toxoplasma negative subjects.&#x0D; These findings show that Toxoplasmosis is high expected to be diagnosed with chronic liver disease patients. Consequently, attention would be focused on health education of peoples at high risk of toxoplasmosis.

Seroepidemiological survey of Toxoplasma gondii infection in patients with gynecological malignant tumors

To investigate the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in patients with gynecological malignant tumors, so as to provide the evidence for the control of T. gondii infections in the patients with gynecological malignant tumors. A total of 327 patients with gynecological malignant tumors were recruited, and 200 women with normal healthy examinations were served as controls. The serum anti-T. gondii IgG and IgM antibodies were detected by using ELISA, and the seroprevalence was compared between the patients and controls, and among various types of cancers. The overall seroprevalence of T. gondii was 26.91% (88/327) in the patients with gynecological malignant tumors, which was significantly higher than that (5.00%) in the healthy volunteers (χ2 = 39.36, P<0.01) . The prevalence of anti-T. gondii IgG antibody in the cancer patients was significantly higher than that in the controls (26.30% vs. 5.00%; χ2 = 37.79, P<0.01), while the prevalence of anti-T. gondii IgM antibody in the cancer patients was not significantly different from that in the controls (0.92% vs. 0; corrected χ2 = 0.58, P > 0.01) . The positive rates of anti-T. gondii IgG antibody were 27.68%, 25.47% and 25.69% in ovarian cancer, cervical cancer, and breast cancer patients respectively, which were all significantly higher than those in the controls (χ2 = 32.35, 27.32 and 28.00; all P values<0.01); however, there was no significant difference among the various types of cancer patients in the positive rates of anti-T. gondii IgG antibody (χ2 = 0.17, P > 0.05) . In addition, the positive rates of anti-T. gondii IgM antibody were 1.79%, 0 and 0.92% in ovarian cancer, cervical cancer and breast cancer patients respectively, which was not significantly different from those in the controls (all P values > 0.05). The seroprevalence of T. gondii infection is high in the patients with gynecological malignant tumors. It is suggested that the prevention and control of T. gondii infection should be strengthened in these patients.

Seroepidemiology of Toxoplasma gondii infection in patients with liver disease in eastern China.

The role of the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii in the pathogenesis of liver disease has recently gained much interest. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with T. gondii infection in patients with liver disease from three cities in Shandong and Henan provinces, China. A case-control study was conducted from December 2014 to November 2015 and included 1142 patients with liver disease and 1142 healthy controls. Serum samples were collected from all individuals and were examined with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the presence of anti-T. gondii IgG and IgM antibodies. Information on the demographics, clinical, and lifestyle characteristics of the participants was collected from the medical records and by the use of a questionnaire. The prevalence of anti-T. gondii IgG was 19·7% in patients with liver disease compared with 12·17% in the controls. Only 13 patients had anti-T. gondii IgM antibodies compared with 12 control individuals (1·14% vs. 1·05%, respectively). The highest seroprevalence was detected in patients with liver cancer (22·13%), followed by hepatitis patients (20·86%), liver cirrhosis patients (20·42%), and steatosis patients (20%). Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that consumption of raw meat (odds ratio (OR) = 1·32; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1·01-1·71; P = 0·03) and source of drinking water from wells (OR = 1·56; 95% CI 1·08-2·27; P = 0·01) were independent risk factors for T. gondii infection in liver disease patients. These findings indicate that T. gondii infection is more likely to be present in patients with liver disease. Therefore, efforts should be directed toward health education of populations at high risk of T. gondii infection and measures should be taken to protect vulnerable patients with liver disease.

Is there a relationship between Toxoplasma gondii immunoglobulin G seropositivity and idiopathic Parkinson’s disease and does it have a correlation with serum cortisol level?

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.

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Patients with Alzheimer’s Disease

Background: Toxoplasmosis is one of the most important diseases in humans and animals. Almost one-third of the human population around the world is infected with toxoplasmosis. The agent of this parasitic disease is a protozoan called Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) that causes encephalitis in people with suppressed immune systems and abortion, mental retardation and chorioretinitis in the fetus. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most important neurodegenerative disease. Objectives: Due to the high prevalence of toxoplasmosis in Iran and evidence on its impact on neurodegenerative diseases, this study was performed to evaluate the T. gondii infection in patients with AD. PatientsandMethods: In this case-control study, after selection of alzheimer’s patients (APs) referred toImamReza psychiatric hospital of Khorramabad, west of Iran, and healthy controls (each group consisted of 87 individuals), using the convenience sampling method and under the supervision of a neurologist, blood samples were taken during July 2014 and January 2015. The collected samples were transferred to the research laboratory of parasitology under cold chain storage and then, the serum samples were separated by centrifugation and were frozen at -20°C until use. The T. gondii IgM and IgG specific antibodies were assessed in serum samples using commercial Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) kits. Results: The overall prevalence of T. gondii infection in patients with AD and the control group, using ELISA assay, was obtained as 66.6% (58/87) and 56.32% (49/87), respectively (P = 0.99). In this study, there was no significant association between T. gondii infection and AD. On the other hand, no statistically significant difference was observed between the two groups in terms of infection with T. gondii (P = 0.99). Conclusions: Higher prevalence of T. gondii in patients with AD compared to controls showed the possible impact of this parasite in AD, which may exacerbate symptoms, and this requires special attention of specialists and patient families.

Association between anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies and schizophrenia and psychotic bipolar in patients hospitalized in the psychiatric ward

Background Toxoplasmosis is caused by an intracellular parasite and is a worldwide disease. In laboratory, the parasites that cause the disease increases levels of dopamine in the brain tissue of treated mice. The evidence showed that dopamine releasing in the nucleus accumbens by activating the retro hippocampal region can disrupt the fornix section of brain as evolve to develop a psychosis in human. Methods This retrospective case-control study was conducted in patients with schizophrenia and psychotic bipolar referred to psychiatric clinic in Amir Kabir hospital, Arak. After psychiatric diagnosis of patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, 2ml of blood samples were acquired from 76 patients and 75 controls without any psychotic illness or bipolar disorder and other mental illnesses with safety issues. The serum of samples was separated in laboratory and was kept until the time of testing at -20 degrees C. After collecting all the samples; Anti-Toxoplasma IgG on the case and control samples were analysed by ELISA. Results were analysed by SPSS software version 16 and were calculated by chi 2 tests. Results 55.26 per cent of patients (42 persons) were infected with Toxoplasma gondii and in the control group 36 per cent (27 patients) were infected, that the different between them was significant (p<0/05). Toxoplasmosis in psychotic men was more than psychotic women significantly (p<0/05). Toxoplasma gondii infection in patients with schizophrenia with psychotic bipolar patients showed no significant difference. Conclusion Patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder showed significantly higher rate than healthy people against Toxoplasma gondii infection. Whether prevention of infection with these parasites is effective in reducing the risk of psychosis requires further investigation.

Toxoplasma gondiiInfection and Mixed Anxiety and Depressive Disorder: A Case-Control Seroprevalence Study in Durango, Mexico

BackgroundThe parasite Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) may invade the brain and might induce behavioral changes. We sought to determine the association of T. gondii infection and mixed anxiety and depressive disorder.MethodsThrough an age- and gender-matched case-control seroprevalence study, we examined 65 patients suffering from mixed anxiety and depressive disorder (WHO ICD-10 code: F41.2) attending in a public hospital of mental health and 260 control subjects without this disorder from the general population. Sera of participants were analyzed for anti-Toxoplasma IgG and IgM antibodies using enzyme-linked immunoassays.ResultsFifteen (23.1%) of the 65 patients and 18 (6.9%) of the 260 controls had anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies (odds ratio (OR): 4.03; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.90 - 8.53; P < 0.001). The frequency of high (> 150 IU/mL) anti-T. gondii IgG levels was similar in cases and controls (OR: 0.25; 95% CI: 0.05 - 1.06; P = 0.05). Seroprevalence was similar in male cases and controls (P = 1.0); however, seroprevalence was significantly higher in female cases than in female controls (OR: 7.08; 95% CI: 2.83 - 17.67; P < 0.00001). Patients aged 31 - 50 years old had a significantly higher seroprevalence of T. gondii infection than controls of the same age group (OR: 21.04; 95% CI: 5.22 - 84.80; P < 0.00001). Anti-T. gondii IgM antibodies were found in four (26.7%) of the 15 anti-T. gondii IgG seropositive cases and in 10 (55.6%) of the 18 anti-T. gondii IgG seropositive controls (P = 0.15).ConclusionsResults support for the first time an association between seropositivity to T. gondii and mixed anxiety and depressive disorder. Further research to confirm this association and to determine the seroepidemiology of T. gondii infection in patients with this disorder is needed.