Seropositivity and Other Determinants Associated with Toxoplasmosis in Local Buffalo in Iraq

A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the Seropositivity of Toxoplasma gondii in water buffalo in three Iraqi governorates (Baghdad, Dhi Qar, and Maysan) and to estimate the risk aspects related to infestation throughout the period from January to December 2019. A total of 430 serum samples were inspected with a commercial ELISA (Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay) kit. Indirect multi-species kit. The overall Seropositivity of T. gondii in the examined local buffalo was 7.4%, and the highest rate (9.3%) was in Baghdad Governorate. A multivariate regression analysis revealed that adult buffalo (OR = 7.10;95% CI: 0.87-57.68;P = 0.067) and young herds (OR = 8.42;95% CI: 1.07-66.02;P = 0.043) were more subject to infestation from young buffalo and large herds. Furthermore, the hazard of toxoplasmosis was increased in winter especially among animals in contact with cats. It is therefore requisite to determine risk aspects to evaluate which mitigation, control, prevention and procedures should be carried out to diminish, control and prevent infestation with T. gondii and its propagation.

我国青藏高原地区家畜弓形虫感染情况的Meta分析

为了系统分析我国青藏高原地区常见家畜的弓形虫感染情况,本研究利用Web of Science、中国知网数据库(CNKI)等6个数据库,检索有关我国青藏高原地区(以青海省和西藏自治区为主)家畜(牛、羊和猪)弓形虫感染率的文献,检索的时间范围从建立数据库至2022年10月1日。由2位评价者采用独立双盲方法进行文献筛选,提取数据资料并交叉校对、评价纳入研究的质量后,采用Stata 16.0软件进行Meta分析,通过Meta亚组分析和Meta回归分析探究合并结果的异质性来源,并评估发表偏倚。结果显示,共筛选获得29篇文献,3种家畜的研究皆存有异质性(牛:I^(2)=98.5%;羊:I^(2)=98.5%;猪:I^(2)=96.7%),异质性来源提示为采样范围和采样区域;合并后牛、羊和猪的弓形虫感染率分别为11%(95%CI=7%~15%)、13%(95%CI=8%~19%)和14%(95%CI=8%~20%);关于羊和猪的研究都具有发表偏倚(P<0.05),关于牛的研究无发表偏倚(P>0.05)。结果表明,我国青藏高原部分地区3种常见的家畜普遍存在弓形虫感染的情况。

Toxoplasmic Chorioretinitis: About a Case in an Immunocompetent Adult at the Renaissance University Hospital Centre (UHC) in N’Djamena (Chad) and Review of the Literature

Toxoplasmic chorioretinitis also known as ocular toxoplasmosis is a parasitic infection caused by the obligately intracellular multiplying protozoan called Toxoplasma gondii. Active toxoplasmic chorioretinitis is a rare condition in immunocompetent people. We report a case of a 47-year-old patient who received reduced right visual acuity, left hemiparesis and eye pain. Examination of the right anterior segment of the eye is unremarkable. In the fundus of the right eye, there was a focus of active toxoplasmic chorioretinitis located in the macula at 1.5 mm papillary diameter next to old scar lesions. The ophthalmological examination of the left eye was unremarkable. The paraclinical assessment carried out on the patient shows a positive Remington test on two occasions three weeks apart. The clinical outcome after initiation of treatment was favorable with a healing of the active site within four weeks.

榆林地区山羊弓形虫血清学调查与分析

为初步了解陕西省榆林地区山羊的弓形虫感染情况,于2023年5—8月从榆林市部分县区(定边县、靖边县、横山区和榆阳区)的28个羊场采集山羊血清样品共844份。采用间接血凝试验检测血清弓形虫抗体,并统计阳性率。结果发现,羊弓形虫抗体场的阳性率和样品阳性率分别为46.43%(13/28)和15.05%(127/844),其中不同县区的场阳性率和样品阳性率分别为33.33%~62.50%和10.67%~21.67%。雌性和雄性羊群弓形虫抗体阳性率分别为14.64%(101/690)和16.88%(26/154),差异较小;散养场羊群的弓形虫抗体阳性率明显高于规模化羊场,分别为21.07%(55/261)和12.35%(72/583)。此外,山羊的弓形虫抗体阳性率随年龄增长而提高,其中3岁以上羊群阳性率最高,为22.39%(15/67),而6月龄以下羊群的阳性率最低,为2.13%(1/47)。以上调查结果表明,榆林地区山羊的弓形虫病流行情况相对严重,养殖户(企业)需重视该病的防治。

上海市青浦区流浪猫主要人兽共患病流行情况调查

为了解上海市青浦区流浪猫主要人兽共患病流行情况,防范由其引起的公共卫生安全隐患,采用实时荧光PCR和酶联免疫吸附试验,于2022年6月—2023年8月的春夏季采集中心城区5个街镇的流浪猫血液、血清及棉拭子样本各156份,按不同月份及街镇对狂犬病、弓形虫病、A型流感病原抗体,以及弓形虫病、A型流感、猫抓病病原核酸进行检测。结果显示:狂犬病病毒、弓形虫和A型流感病毒抗体阳性率分别为14.7%、11.5%和3.8%;5月、7月的狂犬病病毒抗体阳性率显著高于其他月份,中心街镇的狂犬病病毒抗体阳性率显著较高;夏季的弓形虫抗体阳性率高于春季,不同街镇抗体阳性率存在显著差异;3—4月的A型流感病毒抗体阳性率高于其他月份,中心街镇抗体阳性率较高。结果表明,中心城区流浪猫群体的狂犬病病毒抗体阳性率较低,同时部分街镇的流浪猫存在弓形虫、A型流感病毒感染情况,有潜在的公共卫生风险。结果提示,居民与流浪猫接触时应注意加强自身保护。

Toxoplasmosis among pregnant women:High seroprevalence and risk factors in Kinshasa,Democratic Republic of Congo

Objective:To determine the seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis in pregnant women,as well as the proportion of acutely infected and risk factors in the Democratic Republic of Congo.Methods:Thirty maternities in Kinshasa were randomly selected and women attending antenatal consultation were invited to participate.They were interviewed with a structured questionnaire about known risk factors(age,meat consumption,contact with soil,and presence of cat)and a venous blood sample was taken.Sera were analysed for total immunoglobulins(Ig)by VIDAS Toxo Competition using Enzyme Linked Fluorescent Assay.IgM was determined by VIDIA Toxo IgM and IgG avidity by VIDAS Toxo IgG avidity.Results:A total of 781 women were included.Median age was 28 years old(IQR:8.S).And 627women(80.3%;95%CI:77.5-83.1)were found to be positive to total Ig and 17 out of 387(4.4%;95%CI:2.3-6.4)were positive to IgM.IgC avidity was low for 2(11.8%)women,intermediate for 2(11.8%)and high for 13 women(76.4%).There was no statistically significant association between Toxoplasma gondii infection and any risk factors assessed.Conclusion:In Kinshasa,toxoplasmosis endemicity is highly prevalent.One woman out of twenty five had a recent toxoplasmosis infection and 20%were not protected against primoinfection,indicating a need for measures to prevent and control toxoplasmosis during pregnancy.

Recurrent headaches may be caused by cerebral toxoplasmosis

AIM: To establish seroprevalence and provide characteristics of Toxoplasma gondii(TG) infection in children with recurrent headaches. METHODS: The study was performed in 178 children aged 7-17 years admitted consecutively to the Department of Pediatric Neurology from November 2009 to July 2011. The children were surveyed with a questionnaire with the help and assistance of their parents and blood samples taken on admission were studied for the presence of specific anti-TG Ig M, Ig G antibodies and Ig G avidity using enzyme immunoassay Platelia Toxo Ig M, Ig G. RESULTS: The study showed that 19 children(8 boys, 11 girls; 8-17 years old, mean age 14.36 years) hadhigh serum anti-TG Ig G antibody levels(range: 32.2 > 240 UI/m L, mean 120.18 UI/m L; positive value for Ig G was ≥ 9 UI/m L). The avidity index(AI) ranged from 0.202 to 0.925(scale: ≥ 0.5 high AI). The results for Ig M antibodies were all negative and the obtained results ranged from 0.113 to 0.25 U/m L(mean = 0.191 IU/m L) and all values below 0.8 IU/m L were considered negative. The most frequent complaints found in the seropositive patients were headaches that affected the frontal(13 children), occipital(4) and parietal areas(5). Headaches usually had a pulsating(in 7 patients) and squeezing(6) character and rarely were piercing, dull or expanding. Interestingly, 8 children did not feel discomfort during the headaches, probably because they did not have sufficiently increased intracranial pressure yet. The headaches usually appeared 1-2 times/mo, lasted for 2-6 h, and had a mean intensity of 5.5 points in a 10 point subjective scale. The comorbidities included epilepsy(5 patients), various infections in 3 children(chronic eustachitis, chronic rhinitis, chronic purulent tonsillitis, streptococcal pharyngitis, meningitis, allergic diseases), disturbances of behavior, deficits of attention, and ocular and motor concentration disorders in 1 child. The electroencephalographic and neuroimaging studies performed in our patients had a very limited value in establishing cerebral toxoplasmosis.CONCLUSION: Ten point six seven percent of the studied children had markedly increased serum anti-TG Ig G antibodies and high AI indicated chronic infestation. It is suggested that tests for TG infection should be introduced to routine diagnostics in patients with recurrent headaches.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Swine Toxoplasmosis

Toxoplasmosis is a zoonotic parasitic disease caused by Toxoplasma gondii, which mainly affects pigs, cattle, sheep, rabbits and other animals. In addition, human beings are also susceptible to Toxoplasma gondii. Because Toxoplasma gondii infections are widely prevalent in human beings and other animals, we should pay more attention to prevention and control of the disease in order to promote the healthy development of breeding industry and the protection of people＇s health. In the present article, the pathogen of swine toxoplasmosis, life history, clinical features and treatment are elaborated.

Great efficacy of sulfachloropyrazine-sodium against acute murine toxoplasmosis

Objective:To identify more effective and less toxic drugs to treat animal toxoplasmosis.Methods:Efficucy of seven kinds of sulfonamides against Toxoplasma gondii(T.gondii)in an acute murine model was evaluated.The mice used throughout the study were randomly assigned to many groups(10 mice each),which either remained uninfected or were infected intraperitoneally with lachyzoites of T.gondii(strains RH and CN).All groups were then treated with different sulfonamides and the optimal treatment protocol was determined candidates.Sulfadiazine-sodium(SD)was used for comparison.Results:The oplimal therapy involved gavaging mice twice per day with 250 mg/kg bw of sulfachloropyrazine-sodium(SPZ)for five days.Using this protocol,the average survival time and the time-point of 50%fatalities were prolonged significantly compared with SD treatment.Treatment with SFZ protected 40%of mice from death,and the heart and kidney tissue of these animals was parasite-free,as determined by nestedPCK.SPZ showed excellent therapeutic effects in the treatment of T.gondii in an acute murine model and is therefore a promising drug candidate for the treatment and prevention of T.gondii in animals.Conclusions:It can be concluded that the effective drug sulfachloropyrazine may be the new therapeutic options against animal toxoplasmosis.

Novel Synergistic Protective Efficacy of Atovaquone and Diclazuril on Fetal-Maternal Toxoplasmosis

Over 1 billion people globally are estimated to be infected with Toxoplasma gondii with severe or unknown consequences and no safe and effective therapies are available against congenital or persistent chronic infection. We propose that atovaquone and diclazuril synergistically protect against fetal-maternal toxoplasmosis. Methods: Programmed pregnant mice were treated with atovaquone and diclazuril monotherapy, or combined (atovaquone + diclazuril) therapy and infected with tachyzoites (0, 300, 600) and the course of infection was studied. Results: Infected dams with low dose (300) developed moderate toxoplasmosis complications and treatments were similarly effective with minor differences between monotherapies. In contrast, major differences were observed amongst varied treatments during high-dose (600) infection and severe related-toxoplasmosis complications as follows. Dams developed hydrothorax, ascities and excess weight gain. Combined therapy (&#80 < 0.01) and to a lesser extent diclazuril monotherapy (&#80 0.05) protected dams from excess weight, hydrothorax, and ascities. Infected dams exhibited splenomegaly, hepatomegaly and severe hepatitis. Combined therapy synergistically normalized pathology (&#80 < 0.001) and to a lesser degree monotherapy (diclazuril &#80 0.01, and atovaquone &#80 0.05) protected dams from hepatitis and splemomegaly. Additionally, behavioral response to pain stimuli and fetal weight and fetal numbers were significantly preserved in treated dams. Conclusions: This is the first report describing combined atovaquone and diclazuril therapy a) to be safe in pregnancy, b) to exert novel synergistic effects, and c) to protect dams and their nested fetuses against adverse effects of severe toxoplasmosis.

Preliminary study on association between toxoplasmosis and breast cancer in Iran

Objective:To investigate the possible association between Toxoplasma gondii(T.gondii)infection and breast cancer by examining the seropositivity and serointensity rate of anti-T gondii antibodies in breast cancer patients and healthy volunteers.Methods:This study was carried out on 66 women with breast cancer which consists of 29 newly diagnosed patients(Group 1) and 37 cases undergoing treatment and regular checkups(Group 2).Also,60 healthy women(Group 3) with no history of cancer confirmed by clinical examination and imaging participated in this study.The participants were tested for T.gondii immunoglobulin G(IgG) and immunoglobulin M(IgM) antibodies by enzyme-linked immunoassays.Results:The mean age of Groups 1.2 and 3 were 43.3±6.8,41.8±5.5 and 42.3±4.9.respectively(P=0.72).Overall.104(82.5%) and 8(6.3%) out of 126 women were positive for anti-T gondii IgG and IgM antibodies,respectively.Higher seropositivity rate of anti-T.gondii antibodies(IgG) was seen in breast cancer patients(86.4%) compared with control group(78.3%)(P=0.24).IgG antibodies were detected in 89.2%of cancer patients under treatment.82.7%of newly diagnosed patients(P=0.18).IgM antibodies were found in 3(10.3%),2(5.4%)and 3(5%) in Groups 1.2 and 3.No significant difference was found between the mean titers of T.gondii IgG antibody among these groups(P=0.87).Conclusions:This study did not find any significant association between toxoplasmosis and breast cancer besides higher rates of seropositivity and serointensity in patients compared with healthy volunteers.

Ocular toxoplasmosis in Iran:40 cases analysis

·AIM:To report ocular symptoms,funduscopic findings and demographic distribution of ocular toxoplasmosis in Iran·METHODS:In this cross-sectional study,a total of 40 patients with ocular toxoplasmosis (24 female,16 male) were enrolled.The distribution of symptoms and funduscopic findings were studied.·RESULTS:The patients’ age was in the range of 13-52 with the most common age of 19 years old.Twenty-four patients were female (60.0%).The most common presenting sign was visual loss.There was anterior chamber (AC) inflammation in 23 patients (57.5%).Vitritis was presented in 36 patients (90.0%).In 35 patients (87.5%),the retinal lesion was central.In patients with peripheral lesion,3 patients (60.0%) had flashing vs 12.5% chance of flashing in all patients.Older patients had larger lesion (P =0.04).·CONCLUSION:Ocular toxoplasmosis substantially varies among patients with different age,gender,status of immunity,site of lesion and other undetermined factors.One of ocular symptoms,flashing,may necessitate a more precise peripheral fundus examination.·

Cytokine profile in murine toxoplasmosis

Objective:To investigate which cytokines are produced after acute infection of mice with Toxoplasma gondii(T.Gondii) RH strain.Methods:Mus domesticus domesticus mice in infected group were inoculated with with highly virulent T.Gondii RH strain by intraperitoneally.Serum samples were obtained from infected and non-infected mice for cytokine levels for ELISA assay.Results:The concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-α,interferon-γ,interleukin(IL)- 10 and IL-12 in the cardiac blood sample of the infected mice were significantly higher than those in uninfected controls(P【0.05).The levels of transforming growth factor-1βdecreased in mice infected with T.gondii compared to those of the controls,the decrease was statistically significant(P【0.05).No significant difference was observed in levels of IL-4 between infected and healty control groups(P】0.05).Conclusions:According to our findings,immune response into T helper type 1 was predominant during acute T.gondii infection.Further characterization and purification of Toxoplasma molecule(s) implicated in the regulation of cytokines could lead to the development of new drug prospects to control Toxoplasma infection.

Diclazuril Protects against Maternal Gastrointestinal Syndrome and Congenital Toxoplasmosis

Background: Toxoplasmosis is a common cause of foodborne, gastrointestinal and congenital syndrome with particularly severe or unknown health consequences. There is no safe and effective preventive or therapeutic modality against congenital toxoplasmosis or to eliminate the persistent chronic infection. Hypothesis: Diclazuril to be safe in pregnancy and effective against gastrointestinal toxoplasmosis. Methods: CD1 programmed pregnant mice were divided into groups and administered a diet containing diclazuril, or sham control. Treatments were initiated on Day 5 of pregnancy and continued until Day 16 when dams were euthanatized. On Day 8 of pregnancy dams were infected intraperitoneally with escalating doses of tachyzoites (0, 100, 300, 600) from Type II strain. Dams were monitored daily for distress, pain, and abortion and samples collected at the end of the experiments. Results: Infected dams developed moderate to severe Toxoplasma related complications in tachyzoites dose dependent manner. Animals became anemic and showed hydrothorax, and ascities. Diclazuril effectively protected dams from ascities and anemia (p < 0.05). Infected dams showed splenomegaly, with massive infiltration of epithelioid cells compared with the protective effect of diclazuril in treated animals. Infected dams exhibited severe hepatitis (score 0 to 4 scale = 3.5 ± 0.01) with influx of inflammatory and plasma cells, dysplastic hepatocytes, multinucleated giant cell transformation and hepatic cells necrosis. Diclazuril treatment significantly protected dams from hepatitis, also in tachyzoites dose (100, 300, 600) dependent manner (respectively infected-treated versus infected controls, p < 0.001, p < 0.01 and p with infiltration of lymphocytes, and macrophages and microabscess formations in the cryptic structures, with significant improvement in diclazuril treated animals. Additionally, the number of fetuses, fetal length and fetal weight were preserved in diclazuril treated dams. Conclusions: This is the first report describing of diclazuril safety in pregnancy as well as efficacy against mild to moderate hepato-gastrointestinal syndrome in dams and fetal toxoplasmosis (Special issue, “Treatment of Liver Diseases”).

Observational study to assess pregnant women's knowledge and behaviour related to toxoplasmosis in Essaouira province, Morocco

Objective: To assess knowledge and behaviour related to toxoplasmosis which remains a neglected disease in Morocco.Methods: Observational investigations were conducted among 600 pregnant women from Essaouira Province.The interview items covered respondents' knowledge of the disease, its preventive practices and risk behaviours.Results: A total of 22/600 women had already carried out the anti-toxoplasmosis test, while, 96% have never done any screening of anti-Toxoplasma antibodies.Only 16/600 women have good information about the disease, its mode of transmission and its complications in both the fetus and his mother.Although most women adopt a healthy diet, the consumption of raw or undercooked meat is far to be considered as a risk factor, along with other potential factors that may foster the acquisition of the disease, such as possessing a domestic cat, educational status and knowledge of the disease.However, in this study, contact with soil was revealed the most important risk factor(P = 0.045), followed by the hygiene conditions after handling raw meat(P = 0.048).Conclusion: The underestimation of the Toxoplasma gondii sero-prevalence in Essaouira Province can be explained by the absence of toxoplasmosis serology in health institutions, as well as the gap of knowledge about the disease by local population.

Comparison of histopathology and PCR based assay for detection of experimentally induced toxoplasmosis in murine model

Objective:To compare histopathology and PCR based detection in diagnosis of experimentally induced toxoplasmosis of RH human strain of the parasite in murine models.Methods:A comparison of histopathology and PCR based detection was done to diagnose experimentally induced toxoplasmosis in ten inbred swiss albino mice after intraperitoneal inoculation of 100 tachyzoites of laboratory mantained human RH strain of the parasite.Tissue samples from lung,liver,spleen,brain,heart and kidney were taken and processed for histopathological examination while all the samples also were subjected to PCR,using primers directed to the multicopy of SAG 3 gene,in dublicates.Results:Histopathology revealed presence of tachyzoites only in liver while along with lung,liver,spleen and brain tissue yielded desired positive PCR amplicons.Conclusions:The SAG 3 based PCR is able to diagnose toxoplasmosis in those tissues which are declared negative by histopathological assay.

Tuberculosis/toxoplasmosis co-infection in Egyptian patients:A reciprocal impact

Objective:To assess the concurrent toxoplasmosis infection in Egyptian TB patients and the impact of each infection on the other in terms of increased severity of TB or reactivation of latent Toxoplasma infection.Methods:Three hundred suspected pulmonary TB cases were initially screened for TB using direct Ziehl Neelsen staining and Lowenstein Jensen culture of their sputa.Rifampicin resistance was detected by Xpert MTB/RIF assay.Control group of 30 age and sex-matched healthy individuals negative for TB was included for comparison.All subjects were further assessed for serum levels of anti-Toxoplasma Ig G antibodies and malondialdehyde(MDA).Results:Forty three confirmed TB-infected patients including 10(23.3%)rifampicin-resistant patients were detected.Associated toxoplasmosis was found to be significantly higher among TB patients(OR=2.709;95%CI:1.034-7.099;P<0.05)and among rifampicin sensitive than rifampicin resistant TB patients(OR=0.213;95%CI:0.048-0.951);P<0.05).Serum levels of anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibodies and MDA were significantly higher among TB patients than the control group.Furthermore,serum level of MDA was significantly higher among TB/Toxoplasma co-infected patients as compared to toxoplasmosis free-TB patients.Strong positive correlation was detected between serum levels of anti-Toxoplasma Ig G and MDA in TB patients(r=0.75,P=0.001).Conclusions:Among pulmonary TB Egyptian patients,there is a considerable prevalence of toxoplasmosis.Severity of pulmonary tuberculosis could be increased by Toxoplasma co-infection.

Toxoplasmosis and anti-Toxoplasma effects of medicinal plant extracts-A mini-review

Toxoplasmosis is a globally diwstributed parasitic protozoan disease,caused by Toxoplasma gondii.The infection can result in more severe symptoms with potentially life-threatening in case of immunocompromised individuals.Sulfadiazine and pyrimethamine are the two drugs used as a part of standard therapy for toxoplasmosis.Researchers have demonstrated the therapeutic effects of medicinal plants for toxoplasmosis,which can be used as an alternative to standard drug therapy with reduced side effects.Traditional herbal plants are used by people to cure a large number of parasitic disorders.This review provides new insights into various medicinal plants that are used traditionally for the treatment of toxoplasmosis and other parasitic infections,which can be useful as an alternative treatment option for Toxoplasma gondii infections.

Clinical feature and treatment outcome of active ocular toxoplasmosis in immunocompetent patients

Objective:To investigate clinical features,ocular findings,management and follow-up data in a series of immunocompetent patients with active ocular toxoplasmosis.Methods:A prospective study of 25 immunocompetent patients with first attack of active ocular toxoplasmosis. Age,gender,clinical presentation and ophthalmic examination finding were recorded.The diagnosis was based on typical finding in ophthalmic examination.Systemic antimicrobials and corticosteroids were given to all patients.The treatment outcome and side-effects of drugs were observed.Results:Thirteen(52%) patients were male and 12(48%) were female.The mean±SD age at presentation was(26.8±11.1) years.Eye involvement was unilateral in 92% of patients and bilateral only in 8%.Lesions were located at the peripheral retina in 48%,at the macula retina in 28%,and at the macula and peripheral retina in 24%of the patients.The most common presenting symptom was blurred vision(96%),followed by eye pain(28%).All patients received antimicrobials treatment.Systemic corticosteroids were used in 48%of the patients. Clinical response were observed in 44%2 weeks before and in 56%2 weeks after.Vision was improved with treatment except in two cases.No recurrences occurred during one year follow up.Conclusions:Our study shows that active ocular toxoplasmosis has no gender predilection and affects young individuals.Unilateral involvement is more common in our study.Response to treatment is good in patients and no recurrences occur during one year follow-up.It may have implications in favor of treatment of active ocular toxoplasmosis.

Incidence of toxoplasmosis in patients with cirrhosis

AIM:It is known that toxoplasmosis rarely leads to various liver pathologies,most common of which is granulomatose hepatitis in patients having normal immune systems. Patients who have cirrhosis of the liver are subject to a variety of cellular as well as humoral immunity disorders. Therefore, it may be considered that toxoplasmosis can cause more frequent and more severe diseases in patients with cirrhosis and is capable of changing the course of the disease.The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of toxoplasmosis in patients with cirrhosis.METHODS:Serum samples were taken from 108 patients with cirrhosis under observation in the Hepatology Polyclinic of the Gastroenterology Clinic,and a control group made up of 50 healthy blood donors. IFAT and ELISA methods were used to investigate the IgG and IgM antibodies, which had developed from these sera.RESULTS:Toxoplasma IgG and IgM antibody positivity was found in 74 (68.5%) of the 108 cirrhotic patients and 24 (48%) of the 50 people in the control group. The difference between them was significant (P<0.05).CONCLUSION: In conclusion, it was found that the toxoplasma sero-prevalence in the cirrhotic patients in this study was higher. Cirrhotic patients are likely to form a toxoplasma risk group. More detailed studies are needed on this subject.