Seroprevalence of Toxoplasmosis and Interferon Gamma Levels in Autoimmune Thyroiditis Patients

Background: In thyroiditis, the cellular immune response plays a crucial role in triggering the production of autoantibodies. Toxoplasma gondii elicits a strong innate and adaptive immune response within the host organism. This study aims to assess the seroepidemiological prevalence of toxoplasmosis and the levels of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) in patients with autoimmune thyroiditis (AITD) in Iraq. Methods: This case-control survey was conducted on ۱۰۰ patients diagnosed with AITD and ۷۰ healthy individuals (non-AITD) who attended general hospitals in Thi-Qar Province, Iraq, between July and November ۲۰۲۳. The prevalence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies was evaluated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. Serum levels of IFN-γ were measured using ELISA kits, while the expression levels of IFN-γ were assessed using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Findings: Among the participants, ۳۳ patients (۳۳.۰۰%) in the AITD group and ۹ patients (۱۲.۸۵%) in the non-AITD group tested positive for T. gondii IgG antibodies (p < ۰.۰۰۱). Additionally, ۲.۰۰% of AITD patients and ۱.۴۰% of non-AITD patients were positive for anti-Toxoplasma IgM antibodies. PCR analysis revealed the presence of T. gondii parasites in ۲.۰۰% of AITD patients and ۱.۴% of non-AITD patients. In AITD patients with T. gondii antibodies, both serum levels and gene expression of IFN-γ were significantly elevated compared to AITD patients without T. gondii antibodies (p < ۰.۰۵). Conclusion: Current findings suggest that individuals infected with T. gondii may experience direct effects on the thyroid gland due to elevated levels of IFN-γ. However, further analyses are necessary to validate these results.

کلیدواژه ها:

Toxoplasma gondii ، Gravis disease ، Hashimoto's disease ، ELISA ، Real-time PCR