Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma Gondii among Thalassemia Patients and its Relation with Some Biochemical Parameters.

Background: Thalassemia patients are at an increased risk of contracting opportunistic infections such as toxoplasmosis due to frequent blood transfusions and underlying immune deficiency. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii among thalassemia patients compared to healthy controls and examine any relation with biochemical parameters like serum calcium and growth hormone levels. Methods: A total of 40 thalassemia anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies seropositive patient with 40 healthy subjects, were enrolled in the study. Serum analysis for anti- T. gondii IgG antibodies and growth hormone using ELISA. Genomic DNA extraction was performed on white blood cells and quantified by spectrophotometry. T. gondii infection was detected by real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) based on amplification of a species-specific region of tachyzoite p30 gene using previously published primers. Serum levels of total calcium were estimated by colorimetric assay based on o-cresolphthalein complex method. ABO and Rh blood grouping, complete blood picture and other hematological analysis were performed based on standard methods. Results: Anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies were detected in 28% of thalassemia patients compared to only 5% of controls, indicating significantly higher exposure among thalassemia patients. Both serum calcium and growth hormones were also significantly lower among thalassemia patients. Further genomic analysis by qPCR revealed 72.5% of IgG positive thalassemia patients were positive for T. gondii DNA compared to 100% of IgG positive controls. Conclusion: The high susceptibility of thalassemia patients to T. gondii infection indicates the importance of screening donor blood to prevent transmission by frequent transfusions. Detailed investigations are warranted to elucidate the mechanisms behind disturbances in calcium homeostasis and growth hormone axis among thalassemia patients and any linkage with T. gondii co-infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]