Anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in patients with chronic heart failure

J Med Microbiol. 2006 Jan;55(Pt 1):89-92. doi: 10.1099/jmm.0.46255-0.

Abstract

Chronic heart failure (CHF) involves interactions between the cardiovascular, neuroendocrine and immune systems. This study investigated the seropositivity rate for anti-Toxoplasma IgG and IgM antibodies by ELISA in patients with CHF. Ninety-seven patients with CHF and 50 healthy volunteers were selected for this investigation. The seropositivity rate for anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibodies among CHF patients (68%) was significantly higher than in healthy volunteers (36%). Thus, parasitological screening of this group of patients should be periodically performed to prevent the possible dissemination of toxoplasmosis.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Protozoan / blood*
  • Cardiac Output, Low / complications*
  • Cardiac Output, Low / immunology
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin G / blood
  • Immunoglobulin M / blood
  • Middle Aged
  • Toxoplasma / immunology*
  • Toxoplasmosis / epidemiology*
  • Toxoplasmosis / etiology
  • Toxoplasmosis / immunology

Substances

  • Antibodies, Protozoan
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Immunoglobulin M