Volume 11, Issue 1 (2025)
IEM 2025, 11(1): 0-0 |
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Hadi Haddad A, Khudair Khalaf A. Seroepidemiological Prevalence of Toxoplasmosis and Interferon Gamma Levels in Autoimmune Thyroiditis Patients. IEM 2025; 11 (1)
URL: http://iem.modares.ac.ir/article-4-76325-en.html
URL: http://iem.modares.ac.ir/article-4-76325-en.html
1- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Thi-Qar, Iraq
2- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Thi-Qar, Iraq ,akkhalaf99@gmail.com
2- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Thi-Qar, Iraq ,
Abstract: (271 Views)
Background: In thyroiditis, the cellular immune response plays a crucial role in triggering the production of autoantibodies. Toxoplasma gondii elicits a strong innate and adaptive immune response within the host organism. This study aims to assess the seroepidemiological prevalence of toxoplasmosis and the levels of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) in patients with autoimmune thyroiditis (AITD) in Iraq.
Methods: This case-control survey was conducted on 100 patients diagnosed with AITD and 70 healthy individuals (non-AITD) who attended general hospitals in Thi-Qar Province, Iraq, between July and November 2023. The prevalence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies was evaluated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. Serum levels of IFN-γ were measured using ELISA kits, while the expression levels of IFN-γ were assessed using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
Findings: Among the participants, 33 patients (33.00%) in the AITD group and 9 patients (12.85%) in the non-AITD group tested positive for T. gondii IgG antibodies (p < 0.001). Additionally, 2.00% of AITD patients and 1.40% of non-AITD patients were positive for anti-Toxoplasma IgM antibodies. PCR analysis revealed the presence of T. gondii parasites in 2.00% of AITD patients and 1.4% of non-AITD patients. In AITD patients with T. gondii antibodies, both serum levels and gene expression of IFN-γ were significantly elevated compared to AITD patients without T. gondii antibodies (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: Current findings suggest that individuals infected with T. gondii may experience direct effects on the thyroid gland due to elevated levels of IFN-γ. However, further analyses are necessary to validate these results.
Methods: This case-control survey was conducted on 100 patients diagnosed with AITD and 70 healthy individuals (non-AITD) who attended general hospitals in Thi-Qar Province, Iraq, between July and November 2023. The prevalence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies was evaluated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. Serum levels of IFN-γ were measured using ELISA kits, while the expression levels of IFN-γ were assessed using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
Findings: Among the participants, 33 patients (33.00%) in the AITD group and 9 patients (12.85%) in the non-AITD group tested positive for T. gondii IgG antibodies (p < 0.001). Additionally, 2.00% of AITD patients and 1.40% of non-AITD patients were positive for anti-Toxoplasma IgM antibodies. PCR analysis revealed the presence of T. gondii parasites in 2.00% of AITD patients and 1.4% of non-AITD patients. In AITD patients with T. gondii antibodies, both serum levels and gene expression of IFN-γ were significantly elevated compared to AITD patients without T. gondii antibodies (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: Current findings suggest that individuals infected with T. gondii may experience direct effects on the thyroid gland due to elevated levels of IFN-γ. However, further analyses are necessary to validate these results.
Article Type: Original Research |
Subject:
Parasitology
Received: 2024/07/29 | Accepted: 2024/09/16 | Published: 2025/02/22
Received: 2024/07/29 | Accepted: 2024/09/16 | Published: 2025/02/22
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