The Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma Gondii in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Case-Control Study in Southwest Iran

Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular parasite, which causes toxoplasmosis in humans and many warm-blooded vertebrates.

The present study aimed to determine the prevalence of T. gondii in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and control individuals in the southwest of Iran.

In this case-control study, 80 patients with T2DM and 100 healthy individuals referred to Taleghani hospital in Abadan city during the winter season. Anti-T. gondii IgG antibody was measured in sera of participants using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). A questionnaire containing some demographic information and risk factors related to T. gondii infection was completed by each participant. Results were analyzed using SPSS software 20. P <0.05 were considered as statistically significant.

About 72.5% of patients with T2DM and 29% of healthy subjects were found to be positive for IgG antibody. The difference was statistically significant (P<0.001). Among the risk factors, contact with cats in both cases (P<0.001) and control groups (P=0.045) and source of drinking water in the control group (P=0.048) were significantly associated with T. gondii infection. No significant association was observed between age, gender, place of residence, educational level and consuming raw or undercooked meat with T. gondii (P>0.05).

Considering the high prevalence of T. gondii in patients with T2DM compared to healthy individuals, more attention should be paid to this high-risk group. It is suggested that these patients routinely be tested for this parasite.