Toxoplasmosis among Egyptian children with neurological disorders: developmental and risk factors analysis

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt

2 Pediatric Neurology Unit, Children´s Hospital , Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt

3 Department of Medical Parasitology , Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt

Abstract

Background: Toxoplasma gondii is a widespread neurotropic protozoan that influences the CNS physiology
with a potential role in mediating congenital and neurodevelopmental disabilities of children.
Objectives: The current study was conducted to investigate the associations between toxoplasmosis and
neurodevelopmental disorders in children and to analyze the possible risk factors.
Patients and Methods: In this case control study, serum samples from 120 children with neurological
disorders and 120 healthy control children were investigated for anti-Toxoplasma IgM and IgG antibodies
using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Demographics, maternal and children risk factors
and developmental data of children were recorded.
Results: The seropositivity rates of both IgM and IgG anti-Toxoplasma antibodies were higher in the
children group with neurodevelopmental disorders than the control group with significant difference.
Statistically significant associations were found between Toxoplasma IgG seropositivity and children
manifesting hydrocephaly, microcephaly, and Down syndrome. While anti-Toxoplasma IgM seropositivity
was significantly associated with children manifesting epilepsy and Down syndrome. Contact with soil
and farm animals was found to be a significant risk factor for toxoplasmosis in this study.
Conclusion: The findings denote that toxoplasmosis is a probable risk factor for neurodevelopmental
disorders in children. This highlights the importance of toxoplasmosis consideration by pediatricians for
investigating and early management of such congenital and neurodevelopmental disorders.

Keywords

Parasitologists United Journal
Volume 13, Issue 3
December 2020
Pages 190-196

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