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Case-Control Study to Assess the Association between Epilepsy and Toxocara Infection/Exposure.
Ali Alizadeh Khatir1, Mahdi Sepidarkish2, Mohammad Reza Rajabalizadeh3
1Mobility Impairment Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol 4714871167, Iran.
Microorganisms
|October 23, 2021
Summary
This study found a significant association between epilepsy and Toxocara infection. Toxocara seropositivity was linked to a higher risk of developing epilepsy, suggesting it may be a contributing factor.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Infectious Diseases
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Epilepsy etiology is often unknown, but zoonotic parasites like Toxocara are potential risk factors.
- Previous research suggests a possible link between Toxocara exposure and epilepsy development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between epilepsy and serum antibodies to Toxocara.
- To evaluate Toxocara seropositivity as a risk factor for incident epilepsy cases.
Main Methods:
- An age-matched case-control study involving 94 idiopathic epilepsy patients and 88 controls.
- Serum samples screened for anti-Toxocara IgG antibodies using ELISA.
- Statistical analysis using univariate and multivariate logistic regression to calculate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).
Main Results:
- Anti-Toxocara antibodies were detected in 39.3% of epilepsy cases versus 26.1% of controls.
- A significant association was found between epilepsy and Toxocara seropositivity (Adjusted OR, 2.38; 95% CI, 1.25-4.63).
- Toxocara seropositivity was also associated with both partial (OR, 2.60) and generalized (OR, 2.17) seizures.
Conclusions:
- Findings support the hypothesis that Toxocara infection/exposure is a risk factor for epilepsy.
- Further population-based and experimental studies are needed to elucidate the mechanisms behind this association.
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