Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
1 Department of Biology, College of Science, University of Zakho, Duhok, Iraq 2Biology Research Center, Research Center, University of Zakho, Duhok, Iraq
2
1 Department of Biology, College of Science, University of Zakho, Duhok, Iraq 3Department of Medical Microbiology, College of Science, Knowledge University, Erbil, Iraq
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is an opportunistic intracellular protozoan parasite which causes toxoplasmosis by using its surface proteins that evade the immune system of the host, leading to restricted immune signaling routes. This alteration has various influences on infected individuals, specifically pregnant women, which leads to repeated abortion. The aim of this study was to examine the correlation between systemic inflammatory biomarkers and abortion. Serum samples were collected from 224 aborted women and screened for anti-T. gondii immunoglobulin G and M (IgG, IgM) followed by quantification of Interleukin 12 (IL-12) and Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α) levels using Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) and some inflammatory tests such as C Reactive protein (CRP) and Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR). The total seropositivity was 25%, which involved 19.6% IgG and 5.4% IgM antibodies with a highly significant (P<0.001) difference. Furthermore, significant differences (P<0.002) are only present regarding IgG test with the number of abortions. Besides, the ESR test showed significant differences (P=0.006, P<0.001) with anti-Toxoplasma IgG and IgM antibodies. While, for the CRP test, highly significant (<0.001) differences were observed for IgG Abs only. Moreover, higher mean concentrations of IL-12 and TNF-α were observed, which were (19.10±2.80, 7.92±0.45 pg/mL) and (99.13±17.62, 62.00±39.54 pg/mL), respectively, among seropositive patients in comparison to the control group, and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.001) for IL-12 only. The study concluded that T. gondii significantly boosted the cellular immune response. In addition, it highlights the importance of routine screening for anti-Toxoplasma antibodies prior to marriage, early immunological screening for pregnant females who are at high risk and raising public awareness about toxoplasmosis and its reproductive consequences through media campaigns and educational programs suggested.
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