Seroepidemiological Study of Toxoplasma gondii in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis in Ahvaz, Southeastern Iran

Background and Objective: Toxoplasmosis is a common parasitic infection worldwide. The infection can be caused via consumption of contaminated meat and motherto-child (congenital) transmission, causing changes in central nervous system tissue, eye irritation and sometimes death. The human form of the disease is often asymptomatic and may be accompanied with general discomfort and swelling of the lymph nodes when associated with chorioretinitis. Acute infection in immunocompromised individuals could lead to mortality. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of antiToxoplasma gondii antibodies in serum of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) referred to the MS Center in city of Ahvaz, southeastern Iran. Methods: Blood samples were taken from 100 patients with MS and 100 healthy control participants. After separating the serum, presence of anti-Toxoplasma antibodies (IgG, IgM) was evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: Frequency of anti-Toxoplasma IgG was 38% and 21% in the patients and controls, respectively. Toxoplasma IgM antibodies were not detected in any of the study groups. Pearson correlation coefficient showed a significant association between Toxoplasma