Epidemiologic evaluation of toxoplasmosis and leading risk factors in HIV/AIDS patients in Arak City, Iran

BackgroundToxoplasmosis is a common opportunistic infection that can be fatal in immunocompromised individuals, such as those with HIV/AIDS.AimsConsidering the rising incidence of HIV/AIDS in human populations worldwide and the high risk of toxoplasmosis among these patients, the current epidemiologic study was conducted to identify the characteristics and leading risk factors of toxoplasmosis among HIV/AIDS patients in Arak City, Marzaki Province, Iran.Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted in HIV patients under the care and counselling of the local health centre of Arak City. We included a total of 49 patients with HIV/AIDS who completed a written informed consent form and a two-part questionnaire. Demographic data and information about various risk factors were collected in the questionnaire. Blood samples were collected from each patient. Anti-Toxoplasma gondii IgG and IgM antibody assays and PCR were conducted on serum samples. Logistic regression and chi-squared (&chi;2) tests were used for statistical analysis. P values less than 0.05 (p < 0.05) were considered significant.Results Of the study participants, 22.4 per cent were Toxoplasma seropositive, with 20.4 per cent and 2 per cent being IgG- and IgM-positive, respectively. Among the participants, those who had occupational exposure to soil had the highest risk for toxoplasmosis (p < 0.043, OR=7.243).ConclusionThe seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis in HIV/AIDS patients is lower in Arak than in the general population in most parts of Iran. This is possibly owing to racial and geographic differences

Isolation and Genotyping of Acanthamoeba from Soil Samples in Markazi Province, Iran

AIM: A previous study confirmed the contamination of water sources with this parasite in Arak, Markazi Province, Iran. The current study investigated soil sources and determined the predominant genotype of Acanthamoeba in this region of Iran. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty-eight soil samples, collected from different regions of Arak, Markazi province, Iran, were evaluated in this study. The samples were processed and identified by culturing on a specific medium, performing PCR assay, and sequencing the PCR products. Finally, using the NCBI database, the genotypes were determined. RESULTS: Of 48 soil samples, 33.3% and 31.25% were contaminated with Acanthamoeba according to the culture and molecular assays, respectively. The majority of these isolates belonged to the T4, T5 and T6 genotypes of Acanthamoeba. CONCLUSION: The genotypes of most isolates from soil samples in Arak similar to other regions of Iran belong to T4 genotype of this parasite. New sequence accession numbers include MG066681 and MG298785-MG298794. &nbsp

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

BackgroundToxoplasmosis is caused by an intracellular parasite and is a worldwide disease. In laboratory, a mouse has been observed with the presence of this parasite in the brain which increased the level of dopamine in the brain. 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.MethodsThis 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 day of testing at -20˚C. After collecting all the samples; Anti-Toxoplasma lgG 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.Results55.26 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.ConclusionPatients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder showed significantly higher rate than healthy people against Toxoplasma gondii infection. Prevention of infection with this parasite is effective in reducing the risk of psychosis

Molecular Testing for Toxoplasma Diagnosis in Aborted Fetuses- Taleghani Maternity Hospital- Arak- Iran

Background: The diagnosis of toxoplasmosis is most critical in pregnant women who acquire infection during gestation and also in fetuses and newborns who are congenitally infected. This study described the performance of molecular and confirmatory serologic testing for toxoplasma infection in the tissues of human spontaneous aborted fetuses and their mothers' blood. Materials and Methods: 87 random samples from the tissues of body of spontaneous aborted fetuses (less than 14 weeks) in a separate container of preservative solution were collected from the delivery room of the university maternity hospital, Arak- Iran , during autumn 2012 to 2013. In the ward, 3 ml of blood sample of their mothers were collected and the sera were separated and analyzed by ELISA method for the detection of specific IgG. DNA extraction from the tissues of fetuses was performed and stored until use. The PCR reaction was performed by a pair of primers. PCR products were analyzed by electrophoresis and stained with safe stain. It is necessary to mention first that the written consent was obtained from their mothers and after recovery, a demographic questionnaire was completed. Results: Most of the mothers were 20-29 years of age and the correlation between the location of residence, contact with cats and eating undercooked food with abortion, not significant. Serological tests on the sera of 87 mothers for anti-Toxoplasma IgG showed 39.08% positive results. The results of PCR amplification showed that none of the 87 samples from aborted fetuses were infected with Toxoplasma gondii. Conclusion: In aborted fetuses, we did not observe any evidence of Toxoplasmosis and it appears that Toxoplasma gondii was not the cause of spontaneous abortion in this area of Iran but considering the importance of the infection during pregnancy, the control measurements during pregnancy is required

Epidemiologic evaluation of toxoplasmosis and leading risk factors in HIV/AIDS patients in Arak City, Iran

Background Toxoplasmosis is a common opportunistic infection that can be fatal in immunocompromised individuals, such as those with HIV/AIDS. Aims Considering the rising incidence of HIV/AIDS in human populations worldwide and the high risk of toxoplasmosis among these patients, the current epidemiologic study was conducted to identify the characteristics and leading risk factors of toxoplasmosis among HIV/AIDS patients in Arak City, Marzaki Province, Iran. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted in HIV patients under the care and counselling of the local health centre of Arak City. We included a total of 49 patients with HIV/AIDS who completed a written informed consent form and a two- part questionnaire. Demographic data and information about various risk factors were collected in the questionnaire. Blood samples were collected from each patient. Anti-Toxoplasma gondii IgG and IgM antibody assays and PCR were conducted on serum samples. Logistic regression and chi-squared (χ2 ) tests were used for statistical analysis. P values less than 0.05 (p<0.05) were considered significant. Results Of the study participants, 22.4 per cent were Toxoplasma seropositive, with 20.4 per cent and 2 per cent being IgG- and IgM-positive, respectively. Among the participants, those who had occupational exposure to soil had the highest risk for toxoplasmosis (p<0.043, OR=7.243). Conclusion The seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis in HIV/AIDS patients is lower in Arak than in the general population in most parts of Iran. This is possibly owing to racial and geographic differences

Molecular Detection of Toxoplasma gondii Oocytes in the Soil from the Public Parks of the Arak City, Iran

Background: Soil structure is mainly composed of sand, silt, clay, and organic materials. Organisms can live in the soil. The large number of stray cats in the cities of Iran is a major environmental and health problem. Toxoplasma oocysts are shed with the feces of cats, so soil is known as a potential source of transmission of toxoplasmosis. The aim of this study was to determine the soil contamination with Toxoplasma gondii oocyst in the public parks of the Arak city. Materials and Methods: Sixty soil samples were collected from 15 main parks of Arak city. Four soil samples from the children's playground, a potting place, around trash bins, and around toilets were taken. Oocyst was isolated from soil by floatation in saturated sucrose. Floating debris was tested by two methods: staining by the modified Ziehl-Neelsen technique and PCR. The target of PCR was the 122 bp fragment of the B1 gene.. Results: From 60 soil samples of public parks of Arak city, 8 samples (13%) were suspected to Toxoplasma oocyst contamination in staining smears. Only 3 samples (5%) of 60 samples were positive in PCR. The results showed that the staining method is not a good method to detect oocysts in the soil because the diversity of oocyst in soil is very high and similar in appearance. Conclusion: This study showed soils of public parks in the Arak city were contaminated to oocyst of Toxoplasma. Also molecular method for the detection of parasites in the soil was more suitable than staining method

Effects of Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Level of Serum Testosterone in Males with Chronic Toxoplasmosis

  Background: Toxoplasma gondii is an intracellular protozoan parasite that infects human and animals. Toxoplasma parasites are isolated from different parts of ani-mals even from semen but there are little information about the effect of toxo-plasmosis on fertility in animals and humans. In present study, the effect of chronic toxoplasmosis on serum levels of testosterone in men was studied. Methods: In this case-control study, 1026 men referred to Arak Post Marriage Center were selected. Three ml of blood samples were collected and sera separated by centrifugation at room temperature. These sera were analyzed for detection of anti-T. gondii IgG antibody. Next 365 positive sera were selected as cases and also the same number of negative sera (365) as controls. Finally the level of testosterone was analyzed for the cases and controls samples. Result: Serological tests on the sera of 1,026 men in Arak City showed that 365 of them had anti-Toxoplasma antibody. Comparison of testosterone concentration in case and control groups showed that testosterone concentration in case group was less than control group and this difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion: The chronic toxoplasmosis could affect reproductive parameters in men