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Assessment of Toxoplasma Seropositivity in Children Suffering from Anxiety Disorders

Shahla Afsharpaiman1, Mohammad Hossein Khosravi2, Mojtaba Mahmoodinejad2

  • 1Health Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Iranian Journal of Child Neurology
|December 5, 2017
PubMed

Insights

This study found no direct link between Toxoplasma gondii infection and anxiety disorders in children. Further research with larger sample sizes is recommended to confirm these findings.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Parasitology
  • Child Psychiatry
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Anxiety disorders are common in children, and Toxoplasma gondii is a widespread parasite.
  • The potential impact of parasitic infections on mental health warrants investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in children diagnosed with anxiety disorders.
  • To explore any potential association between Toxoplasma gondii and childhood anxiety.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional study conducted in Tehran, Iran, involving clinical assessments and serological testing for anti-Toxoplasma antibodies (IgG and IgM).
  • Diagnosis of anxiety disorders followed DSM-4 criteria. Data on demographics, lifestyle, and medical history were collected via parental questionnaires.
  • Ninety-six children were analyzed, comparing cases with anxiety disorders to a control group.

Main Results:

  • No significant difference in the prevalence of anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibodies was observed between children with anxiety disorders and controls (P=0.14).
  • Anti-Toxoplasma IgM antibodies were detected in one control but none of the cases, with no significant difference between groups (P=0.27).

Conclusions:

  • The study suggests that Toxoplasmosis does not have a direct effect on the incidence of anxiety disorders in children.
  • Larger-scale studies are necessary to further elucidate any potential relationship between Toxoplasma gondii and childhood anxiety.
Abstract

Keywords:
AntibodiesAnxiety disordersToxoplasma gondiiToxoplasmosis

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