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Updated: Oct 2, 2025

3-D Imaging and Analysis of Neurons Infected In Vivo with Toxoplasma gondii
Published on: December 9, 2014
Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Patients with Psychiatric Disorders from Western Romania
Sebastian Grada1,2,3, Alin Gabriel Mihu1,2,3,4, Cristina Petrescu5
1Discipline of Parasitology, Department of Infectious Disease, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania.
Abstract:
Background and Objectives: High rates of infection with Toxoplasma gondii were found in psychiatric patients globally. In this study, we assessed for the first time the prevalence of T. gondii infection in psychiatric patients and healthy individuals with no known psychiatric disorders in Western Romania. Materials and Methods: The presence of specific IgG anti-T. gondii antibodies was evaluated in 308 psychiatric patients and 296 control subjects using a chemiluminescence assay. Results: Overall, the seroprevalence of IgG antibodies was higher in psychiatric patients (67.86%; 209/308), compared with the control group (54.05%; 160/296) (p < 0.001). Our results revealed a significantly higher prevalence of T. gondii antibodies among patients with schizophrenia (69.77%), organic (personality and behaviour) disorders (76.74%), and mental disorders concerning alcohol abuse (84.62%), compared with the control group (p = 0.009, p = 0.005, p = 0.043, respectively). Conclusions: This study provides new and important information on the seroprevalence of T. gondii in Romanian psychiatric patients and may serve for further scientific research regarding the status of T. gondii infection in patients with psychiatric disorders.
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