Association between Toxoplasma gondii Infection and Type-1 Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2023 Mar 2;20(5):4436. doi: 10.3390/ijerph20054436.

Abstract

Type-1 diabetes, an autoimmune disease characterized by damage to pancreatic insulin-producing beta cells, is associated with adverse renal, retinal, cardiovascular, and cognitive outcomes, possibly including dementia. Moreover, the protozoal parasite Toxoplasma gondii has been associated with type-1 diabetes. To better characterize the association between type-1 diabetes and Toxoplasma gondii infection, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of published studies that evaluated the relationship between type-1 diabetes and Toxoplasma gondii infection. A random-effects model based on nine primary studies (total number of participants = 2655) that met our inclusion criteria demonstrated a pooled odds ratio of 2.45 (95% confidence interval, 0.91-6.61). Removing one outlying study increased the pooled odds ratio to 3.38 (95% confidence interval, 2.09-5.48). These findings suggest that Toxoplasma gondii infection might be positively associated with type-1 diabetes, although more research is needed to better characterize this association. Additional research is required to determine whether changes in immune function due to type-1 diabetes increase the risk of infection with Toxoplasma gondii, infection with Toxoplasma gondii increases the risk of type-1 diabetes, or both processes occur.

Keywords: Toxoplasma gondii; toxoplasmosis; type-1 diabetes juvenile-onset diabetes; type-1 diabetes mellitus.

Publication types

  • Meta-Analysis
  • Systematic Review
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1* / complications
  • Humans
  • Odds Ratio
  • Risk Factors
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies
  • Toxoplasma*
  • Toxoplasmosis*

Grants and funding

This research received no external funding.