Investigation of IgG and IgM Antibodies Against Toxoplasma gondii Among Diabetic Patients

Abstract

Background: Toxoplasma gondii is an important opportunistic parasite in immunocompromised people. On the other hand, diabetes is a systemic disease which affects the immune system and minimizes cellular and humoral immunity and thus diabetic patients have an increased susceptibility to protean infections. Objectives: The aim of the current study was to determine the serum levels of toxoplasma antibodies in diabetic patients. Patients and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 205 serum samples were collected from diabetic patients referred to diabetes center in Ali Asghar Hospital in Zahedan (southeastern Iran). We evaluated the levels of IgG and IgM antibodies against T. gondii in the patients' sera using the Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay. Results: A total of 205 blood samples obtained from diabetic patients (42 men and 163 women with age range 13 - 60 years) were examined for the presence of toxoplasma antibodies. Among patients, 60 cases (29.3%) were seronegative and 145 patients (70.7%) were seropositive, included 53.145 (36.6%) (IgG+, IgM+) acute phase, 72.145 (49.6%) (IgG+, IgM-) chronic phase and 20.145 (13.8%) (IgG-, IgM+) false positive. The relationship between diabetes and toxoplasmosis was evaluated using the chi-square test (P < 0.05). The difference between age, gender, meat consumption, Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS) and the presence of toxoplasma antibodies was statistically significant (P < 0.05). There was no relation between optical disease and abortion with infection. The highest seroprevalence rate of T. gondii IgM and IgG antibodies was observed in the group of women. Conclusions: Diabetes and consumption of half-cooked meats increase the chance of toxoplasmosis. Thus, it is recommended to study the serum level of antibodies against toxoplasmosis in diabetic patients and repeat it periodically.