2024-12

Zanco journal of medical science (Issue : 3) (Volume : 28)

Background and objective: Toxoplasmosis is a zoonotic disease that can cause a wide spectrum of clinical diseases. This study aimed to investigate the association between toxoplasmosis and rheumatoid arthritis among patients, besides, to confirm the role of Toxoplasma gondii in the enhancement and modulation of autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. Methods: A cross-sectional study was implemented from August 2021 to February 2022, in which blood samples were taken conveniently from a total of 180 patients from both genders and different ages (15-60 years). These patients attended Zakho General Hospital and some private clinics suffering from symptoms related to rheumatoid arthritis. All samples were tested for Toxoplasma gondii immunoglobulins G and M (IgG, IgM) antibodies, C- reactive proteins (CRP), rheumatoid factor (RF), and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). Results: The total seropositivity of anti-Toxoplasma gondii IgG and IgM Abs using ELISA were 13.9% and 3.9%, respectively. Furthermore, the highest rate (16.4%) of IgGAbs was recorded among the male group, while, the highest rate (4.8%) of IgMAbs, was recorded among the female group. Furthermore, the highest rate of IgG, and IgM Abs were recorded among the age group 46-60 in both genders (20%, 5.7% respectively). In addition, the statistical analysis demonstrated the presence of significant relationship between IgG Abs with CRP and RF test results (P = 0.027, 0.039 respectively). Whereas, concerning ESR only seropositive IgM Abs results were statistically significant (P = 0.049). Conclusion: Toxoplasmosis may influence the immune system and act as a contributing factor in the exacerbation of autoimmune illnesses, including rheumatoid arthritis. Subsequent investigations will be essential to delineate the risks of T. gondii within the human population.

2022-10

HIV Nursing (Issue : 2) (Volume : 22)

Background: The correlation between anti-Toxoplasma gondii seropositivity and haematological parameters are poorly understood. Therefore, this investigation explores to determine the seropositivity of anti-Toxoplasma IgG and IgM Antibodies among females of different status in addition to investigating the effects of toxoplasmosis on some haematological parameters. Methods: A total 125 women were contributed, each blood samples were evaluated for toxoplasmosis and haematological components. Results: The study revealed a total rate of anti-Toxoplasma Abs as 17.6% (22/125), 12.8% (16/125) for IgG Abs and 4.8% (6/125) for IgM Abs. Married, pregnant and female in 3rd trimester showed the highest rates for anti-Toxoplasma IgG Abs. Moreover, the maximum rate of IgG antibodies was recorded among females with A- and B- blood groups at equal rates (n=1, 33.3%) for each of them. As regarding to ELISA IgM, it was only recorded among AB+ and A+. As well, among seropositive IgG cases significant association was observed with the different levels of Haemoglobin (Hb) (P-value =0.052) while, for seropositive IgM cases significant differences was only found among mean number of red blood cells (RBC) (P-value =0.013). Conclusion: T.gondii has vital influence on health, thus, screening pregnant females especially at early stages of pregnancy is recommended. Besides, focusing on performing CBCs, biochemical and hormonal tests for pregnant females, also, further investigation and improvement in the diagnostic methods are crucial.

2021-08

Al-Qadisiyah Journal of Pure Science (Issue : 4) (Volume : 26)

This study intended to evaluate the seroprevalence of anti-Toxoplasma IgG and IgM antibodies in the sera of 630 women at childbearing age, and to link the outcomes with some risk factors. The enrolled women visited Zakho Maternity Hospital from July 2018 to July 2019. Their ages ranged from 15 to 45 years. All samples were examined using ELISA to detect immunoglobulin G and M, in addition to performing IgG Avidity test for seropositive pregnant women. The differences between seropositivity and age was significant (p<0.05), the highest rate (20.43%) for anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibodies in the age group 33-38 years. Women who had more contact with cats showed higher IgG and IgM seropositivity rates (16.45% and 1.26%, respectively). Married women had higher IgG Abs seropositivity than single ones (12.52% vs 6.31%, respectively), moreover, only married women were seropositive for IgM Abs. Pregnant women presented higher IgG Abs seropositivity than non- pregnant (15.21% versus 10.49%), with almost equal seropositivity for IgM Abs (0.65% and 0.86%, respectively). Anti-Toxoplasma IgG Abs seropositivity was higher in women underwent miscarriages than those with normal pregnancies (18.44 vs. 8.81%), however IgM Abs was only found among women who had miscarriages (0.97%). Women with triple miscarriages presented the highest IgG Abs seropositivity (37.03%). Chronic infection was found in 68.75% of pregnant women, whereas acute infection was found in 31.25 %. Following up the pregnancy resulted in 15 healthy births, 9 miscarriages, and 10 women did not show up. The finding of this study demonstrates the relationship between toxoplasmosis and risk factors in women at childbearing age, with the aims of decreasing infection rates through the introducing of health education programs and the application of hygienic measures in the community by health authority.

2021-08

Al-Qadisiyah Journal of Pure Science (Issue : 4) (Volume : 26)

This study intended to evaluate the seroprevalence of anti-Toxoplasma IgG and IgM antibodies in the sera of 630 women at childbearing age, and to link the outcomes with some risk factors. The enrolled women visited Zakho Maternity Hospital from July 2018 to July 2019. Their ages ranged from 15 to 45 years. All samples were examined using ELISA to detect immunoglobulin G and M, in addition to performing IgG Avidity test for seropositive pregnant women. The differences between seropositivity and age was significant (p<0.05), the highest rate (20.43%) for anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibodies in the age group 33-38 years. Women who had more contact with cats showed higher IgG and IgM seropositivity rates (16.45% and 1.26%, respectively). Married women had higher IgG Abs seropositivity than single ones (12.52% vs 6.31%, respectively), moreover, only married women were seropositive for IgM Abs. Pregnant women presented higher IgG Abs seropositivity than non-pregnant (15.21% versus 10.49%), with almost equal seropositivity for IgM Abs (0.65% and 0.86%, respectively). Anti-Toxoplasma IgG Abs seropositivity was higher in women underwent miscarriages than those with normal pregnancies (18.44 vs. 8.81%), however IgM Abs was only found among women who had miscarriages (0.97%). Women with triple miscarriages presented the highest IgG Abs seropositivity (37.03%). Chronic infection was found in 68.75% of pregnant women, whereas acute infection was found in 31.25 %. Following up the pregnancy resulted in 15 healthy births, 9 miscarriages, and 10 women did not show up. The findings of this study demonstrate the relationship between toxoplasmosis and risk factors in women at childbearing age, with the aim of decreasing infection rates through the health education and application of hygienic measures.