Anti-Toxoplasma IgG Level in Type 2 Diabetic Patients: Does It Affect Glycemic Control?

Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is an important opportunistic parasite which can leads to severe complications, even death in immuno-deficient patients. Diabetes is a systemic disease; considers an important factor that increases susceptibility and risk of various infections in the host by affecting the host's immune system. The aim of the current study was to determine possible relations between toxoplasma IgG antibodies titer and the level of glycemic control and vascular complications in type 2 diabetic patients. In this case control study, serum for 122 samples was analyzed using ELISA for the presence of anti-Toxoplasma- IgG-antibodies (Abs) in both type 2 diabetic patients (62) and controls (60). A1c titer (level of diabetic control) was estimated in all diabetic cases. Full history and examination were performed after all contributors' consents. Anti-Toxoplasma IgG-Abs were detected in 56.45 % of diabetic patients and in 36.67% of the controls. Toxoplasmosis was significantly found more prevalent in diabetics associated with hypertension than controls (P=0.005). Among diabetics, patients with positive anti T. gondii IgG have significant long duration of diabetes versus those with negative anti T. gondii IgG (7.14±2.962 vs.3.26±1.583 years, respectively; P < 0.001). No relations were found between types of diabetic vascular complication, level of glycemic control based on HbA1c level and occurrence of toxoplasmosis. We concluded that despite of high prevalence of anti T. gondii IgG in diabetic patients, it has no relation to diabetic complication and glycemic control.