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Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Patients with Cardiovascular Diseases from Western Romania: A Case-Control Study

Angela Dragomir1,2,3, Maria Alina Lupu1,2,3,4, Rodica Lighezan1,3,5

  • 1Discipline of Parasitology, Department of Infectious Diseases, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania.

Life (Basel, Switzerland)
|July 29, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Toxoplasma gondii infection is common in Romanian cardiovascular patients, with higher rates found in those with hypertension and unstable angina. This study highlights a potential link between Toxoplasma gondii and cardiovascular disease prevalence.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Cardiovascular Epidemiology
  • Parasitology

Background:

  • Toxoplasma gondii is a widespread parasite affecting a significant portion of the global population.
  • Limited research exists on the seroepidemiology of T. gondii within cardiovascular patient cohorts.
  • This study addresses a gap by investigating T. gondii prevalence in cardiovascular patients in Western Romania.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in cardiovascular patients.
  • To compare T. gondii seroprevalence between cardiovascular patients and healthy blood donors.
  • To identify potential associations between T. gondii infection and specific cardiovascular conditions.

Main Methods:

  • Serologic testing for T. gondii antibodies was performed on 256 cardiovascular patients and 261 matched blood donors.
  • Data analysis included comparing seroprevalence rates between patient and control groups.
  • Statistical significance was assessed using appropriate methods (p-values indicated).

Main Results:

  • Overall T. gondii seroprevalence was 64.06% in cardiovascular patients versus 52.88% in blood donors.
  • Seroprevalence increased with age in both groups.
  • Significantly higher T. gondii antibody prevalence was observed in male cardiovascular patients (69.94%) compared to male blood donors (55.69%; p=0.006).
  • Hypertension (82.35%; p=0.01) and unstable angina (67.56%; p=0.02) showed significantly higher T. gondii prevalence.

Conclusions:

  • This research provides novel epidemiological data on T. gondii in Romanian cardiovascular patients.
  • A significantly higher prevalence of T. gondii antibodies was noted in patients with hypertension and unstable angina.
  • These findings suggest a potential link between T. gondii infection and these cardiovascular conditions, warranting further investigation.

Keywords:
RomaniaToxoplasma gondiiantibodiescardiovascular diseasesepidemiologyseroprevalence

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