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Published on: December 9, 2014

A SURVEY OF TOXOPLASMOSIS AMONG MENTALLY RETARDED CHILDREN

N A LABZOFFSKY, N A FISH, E GYULAI

    Canadian Medical Association Journal
    |May 8, 1965
    PubMed

    Insights

    This study investigated toxoplasmosis in mentally retarded children. Findings indicate toxoplasmosis plays little to no role in congenital mental deficiency, as antibody levels were similar to control groups.

    Area of Science:

    • Medical Microbiology
    • Pediatric Neurology
    • Immunology

    Background:

    • Toxoplasmosis, an infection caused by *Toxoplasma gondii*, is a known teratogen.
    • Congenital toxoplasmosis can lead to various neurological deficits, including mental retardation.
    • The specific contribution of toxoplasmosis to the etiology of mental retardation in children requires further investigation.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To ascertain the role of toxoplasmosis in the mental retardation of children.
    • To compare the prevalence of *Toxoplasma gondii* antibodies in mentally retarded children versus control groups.

    Main Methods:

    • Sera from 345 mentally retarded children were analyzed for *Toxoplasma gondii* antibodies.
    • Serological tests included complement-fixation, Sabin-Feldman dye test, and immunofluorescence.
    • Skin testing with toxoplasmin was also performed on the study participants.

    Main Results:

    • Antibodies to *Toxoplasma gondii* were detected in 9 (skin reaction), 15 (complement-fixing), 21 (immunofluorescent), and 45 (dye test) of the 345 mentally retarded children.
    • The incidence of *T. gondii* antibodies in the mentally retarded group was comparable to a normal control group.
    • Antibody prevalence was lower than in a group suspected of having toxoplasmosis.

    Conclusions:

    • The study concludes that toxoplasmosis plays a minimal or negligible role as a predisposing factor in congenital mental deficiency among the studied children.
    • Further research may be needed to explore other potential causes of mental retardation.

    Keywords:
    ADOLESCENCECHILDCOMPLEMENT FIXATION TESTSEPIDEMIOLOGYFLUORESCENT ANTIBODY TECHNICMENTAL RETARDATIONTOXOPLASMOSIS, CONGENITAL

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