Detection of Toxoplasma gondii infection among diabetic patients in Turkey

Abstract Backgound In some recent studies, it has been suggested that there may be a relationship between Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). T. gondii is of greater significance in these patients. Objectives In the present study, it was aimed to investigate the seroprevalence of T. gondii in T2DM patients. Methods To define Toxoplasma IgG and IgM seropositivity and determine the seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis in patients presenting at the Internal Diseases outpatient clinic of the Healthcare Application and Research Hospital, where the ELISA method was used. 200 T2DM patients and 100 healthy individuals with no complaints took part in the study. Results Toxoplasma IgG positivity was determined in 53% of the 200 T2DM patients and Toxoplasma IgM positivity in 13%. While in the control group, Toxoplasma IgG positivity was determined in 27% and Toxoplasma IgM positivity in 1%. The risk of toxoplasmosis infection in T2DM patients was two folds higher than healthy controls according to the IgG results. IgM results were further differentiated. Conclusions We believe that the seroprevalence of T. gondii is high in the T2DM patient group and that the causes should be investigated in more detail.