Comparison of Toxoplasmosis Seroprevalence in Multi Partner, Married (Monogamous) and Virgin Iranian Women.

Background: Toxoplasmosis could lead to serious outcomes during pregnancy. The aim of this study was to investigate serologic toxoplasmosis in three groups of women according to number of sexual partners. Methods: The frequency of anti-Toxoplasma IgG from 471 women (101 virgin girls, 240 married women and 130 multi partner women) were determined by ELISA method from referred participant to medical centers of Tehran, Iran in 2020. The results were analyzed by chi-square and logistic regression tests. Results: Prevalence of toxoplasmosis was significant with the number of sexual partner according to chi square test (P<0.001) and the highest one was observed in multi partners' women (56.2%) and the lowest one in virgin girls (17.8%). ORs of virgin girls and multi partners' women were 0.594 and 3.758 respectively, compared to married women. The effect of age on the frequency of anti-Toxoplasma IgG in married women was significant but it was not significant in multi partners' women. In addition to IgG frequency in married women and multi partners' women had no significant relationship with the number of children. Conclusion: Having sexual activity after marriage and having multi partner in sexual activity may possibly be a novel risk factor for toxoplasmosis infection or increasing the IgG frequency.

Toxoplasma gondii infection as a potential risk for chronic liver diseases: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Toxoplasma gondii, the etiological agent of toxoplasmosis, can cause serious public health problems. Although Toxoplasma gondii tends more to neurotropic and ocular organs, some existing evidence suggest that this disease might induce serious pathological effects on liver. Hence, this study aimed to evaluate the relationship between chronic liver diseases and toxoplasmosis. Meanwhile, it attempted to assess whether patients with toxoplasmosis are susceptible to chronic liver diseases. To achieve this aim, the published studies related to the subject were systematically searched in five major electronic databases between the January 1, 1950 and October 1, 2019. The meta-analysis was carried out using the StatsDirect statistical software and a p-value less than 0.05 was considered significant for any test. Out of 691 identified studies, 10 studies met our inclusion criteria and entered this systematic review. The pooled prevalence rates of Toxoplasma gondii in patients with liver diseases (35.97%; 95% CI: 28.38-43.93) were higher than those in the control group (18.24%; 95% CI: 13.85-23.09). The meta-analysis indicated that the common Odd Ratio by a random effect model was 2.7 (95% CI: 2.30-3.24), revealing a significant association between chronic liver diseases and anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibody. The results of this systematic review confirmed the positive connection between toxoplasmosis and chronic liver diseases. Nonetheless, more studies are needed to clarify the detailed association between these diseases.

Potentially pathogenic free-living amoebae isolated from hospital wards with immunodeficient patients in Tehran, Iran.

This study investigated the occurrence of free-living amoebae (FLA) in immunodeficiency wards of hospitals in Tehran, Iran. A total of 70 dust and biofilm samples from wards serving transplant, pediatric (malignancies), HIV, leukemia and oncology patients of five university hospitals were collected and examined for the presence of FLA using culturing and molecular approaches. Based on the morphology of the amoebae in plate cultures, primer sets were applied for molecular identification of Acanthamoeba, vahlkampfiid amoebae and Hartmannella. Out of 70 samples, 37 (52.9%) were positive for FLA. Acanthamoeba belonged to the T4 genotype was the most prevalent isolate. Presence of the T4 genotype on medical instruments, including an oxygen mask in an isolation room of an immunodeficiency pediatric ward, should be of concern for health authorities. Acanthamoeba T5 genotypes, Hartmannella vermiformis, and Vahlkampfia avara were also present. These results highlight a clear need for greater attention to improved disinfection, especially where susceptible patients, such as those who are immune-suppressed, are served. To our knowledge, this is the first report of these FLA in immunodeficiency wards in Iran, and also the first to identify Acanthamoeba T5, Hartmannella, and Vahlkampfia in moist habitats, such as biofilms, in this country.