Toxoplasma gondii seropositivity among Egyptian children with haematological malignancies | ||||
Parasitologists United Journal | ||||
Article 6, Volume 16, Issue 1, April 2023, Page 57-63 PDF (405.51 K) | ||||
Document Type: Original Article | ||||
DOI: 10.21608/puj.2023.199269.1204 | ||||
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Authors | ||||
Ayat ElBlihy ![]() | ||||
1Departments of Medical Parasitology , Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516- Egypt | ||||
2Departments of Pediatrics Haematology and Oncology Unit , Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516- Egypt | ||||
Abstract | ||||
Background: Toxoplasmosis is caused by T. gondii leading to severe complications in immunocompromised patients. Objective: The present case-control study aims at determining T. gondii seroprevalence among children with haematological malignancies. Subjects and Methods: A total of 320 children were included (160 children with different types of haematological malignancies, and 160 matched controls). Anti-T. gondii IgM and IgG antibodies were assessed in sera from all participants using ELISA. Data included socio-demographic characteristics, predisposing factors for toxoplasmosis, and recorded type of haematological malignancy. Results: All the recruited children were seronegative for anti-T. gondii IgM antibodies. The seroprevalence of anti-T. gondii IgG antibody in cancer patients and controls was 62.5% and 20%, respectively. Besides, children with haematological malignancies had significantly higher levels of anti-T. gondii IgG antibody, with the highest antibody seroprevalence rate and titer detected in children with lymphoblastic lymphoma (LL) and Burkitt's lymphoma (BL), respectively. Age ≥ 8 years, female gender, rural residence, low socioeconomic standard, blood transfusion, and toxoplasmosis in other family members were recorded as significant risk factors for toxoplasmosis. Conclusion: The high prevalence of anti-T. gondii IgG antibody in children with haematological malignancies necessitates routine screening for toxoplasmosis, to avoid development of severe and disseminated disease. | ||||
Keywords | ||||
children; Egypt; ELISA; leukaemia; lymphoma; risk factors; seroprevalence; T. gondii | ||||
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