Correlation between Toxoplasmosis and some Endocrine Parameters for the Assessment of Immunopathogenic Mechanisms of Human Population

Abstract

Present study deals with the correlation of Toxoplasma with some endocrine parameters for the assessment of immunopathogenic mechanism in human population selected from different localities of Lahore. Besides analysis of blood using ELISA for various parameters (anti-Toxo IgG and IgM, Insulin, TSH, T3, T4, FSH, LH, testosterone and estradiol) this multidisciplinary study involved the questionnaire survey of the area for the assessment of health status of the study respondents and risk factors regarding toxoplasmosis. Data was analyzed statistically by Chi-square test, ttest, ANOVA and correlation (p<0.05). Analysis of data revealed that seroprevalence of Toxoplasma infection was significantly related to various factors; socioeconomic status, pica habits, consumption of untreated water for drinking purpose and exposure to oocysts contaminated surfaces as feral cats have high abundance in the study areas. Toxoplasma gondii infection was highly prevalent among study subjects. It was found that chronic Toxoplasma infection was more prevalent (58.5%) among respondents then acute/recent cases (41.5%). Gender wise comparison showed that prevalence of infection was higher among male subjects (86%) in compared to the females (34%). Percentage prevalence of Toxoplasma had positive correlation with seropositivity among subjects of 36-44+ years of age. Toxoplasma infection was found to be correlated with different endocrine hormones. Higher insulin concentration was detected among seropositive subjects reflecting similar trend in both sexes. The deviation was significant among senior age groups. The concentration of TSH, T3 and T4 was detected to be higher than the reference value among 9%, 19% and 79% subjects respectively. In case of male seropositive subjects, LH was significantly higher (11.89±0.66mlU/ml) whereas testosterone was found to be lower (2.82±0.13ng/ml) than normal reference value. In general female Toxoplasma positive respondents were detected with variable ranges of FSH, LH and estradiol during various reproductive phases. These changes in various hormones reflect the possible role of toxoplasmosis leading to various metabolic disorders and reproductive problems. The results are depictive of the fact that lack of education and awareness, poor hygiene conditions and other risk factors greatly enhance the transmission of such parasites. The results of the study are significant and provide enough evidence regarding toxoplasmosis and its correlation with the changes in various hormones leading to health effects.