Prevalence of toxoplasmosis among cancer patients in Thi-Qar province

Abstract

Toxoplasmosis is infectious disease that is spread all over the world caused by one of opportunistic parasite called Toxoplasma gondii. The current study was conducted in Thi-Qar province to investigate the parasite Toxoplasma gondii  among cancer patients using Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent. Assay test and study some of the factors that may  affect in the prevalence of infection, such as age, sex and a number of chemical dosing. 100 blood samples were collected from cancer patients from Hussein Teaching Hospital and the Habboubi Hospital for the period from  October 2015 to the end of  March 2016. Questionnaire was prepared for each person, as well as the collection of 50 blood samples from healthy persons for the purpose of comparison between them with the current study. The results of the current study showed that the prevalence of toxoplasmosis in Thi-Qar province in cancer patients and a comparison group of 36% and 24% respectively. Recorded results of Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ELISA test results for a positive antibody IgG in  cancer patients and a comparison,  30% , 22% respectively. As for the IgM antibody study did not record any positive result in cancer patients group while in comparison group was 2%. The ratios antibodies IgG & IgM together in cancer patients and comparison group were 6% ,0.0% respectively.The highest infection rates for cancer  patients was in the age group (50-59 years) was 53.85% and the lowest rates of infection in the age group (30-39 years) 14.29%  and reported significant differences P <0.05 to infection rates in females highest compared to males where it was 38.59% and 32.55% respectively. For factor chemical dosing showed high infection rates in patients who have been exposed to more than one dose of a chemical 37.63%. As for those who were not exposed to any chemical dose was ratios have 14.29%.