Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii IgG Antibodies in Psychiatric Patients from Western Romania

TL;DR

This study found a high prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in psychiatric patients in Western Romania, suggesting a possible link between the parasite and mental health disorders.

Contribution

The study reports the first data on T. gondii seroprevalence in psychiatric patients from Western Romania.

Findings

70.04% of psychiatric patients tested positive for T. gondii IgG antibodies.

Higher seroprevalence was observed in older patients and those from rural areas.

T. gondii IgG antibodies were most common in patients with delusional disorders and dementia.

Abstract

Toxoplasma gondii, a ubiquitous protozoan parasite, has been previously associated with psychiatric disorders.

To assess the prevalence of IgG antibodies against T. gondii in psychiatric patients from Western Romania.

We included 464 psychiatric patients admitted to the Psychiatric Clinic, County Emergency Hospital of Arad, Western Romania. Clinical evaluation and laboratory tests were conducted in these patients, including serological tests to determine the presence of T. gondii IgG antibodies.

Of the 464 psychiatric patients, 258 (55.5%) were residing in rural areas and 245 (52.7%) were female. T. gondii IgG antibodies were demonstrated in 325 (70.04%) of 464 study participants and the seroprevalence tended to increase with age.

A significant higher T. gondii IgG seroprevalence was found in psychiatric patients aged between 40 to 59 years (p<0.001) and in patients aged ≥60 years (p=0.001) compared to patients aged 19 to 39 years. A higher T. gondii IgG seroprevalence was determined in psychiatric patients residing in rural areas compared to those residing in urban areas (p=0.04). T. gondii IgG seroprevalence was higher in females compared to males (p=0.04).

Assessment of seroprevalence by diagnostic revealed that T. gondii IgG antibodies were identified in 23 (85.19%) of 27 patients with delusional disorders, 24 (82.76%) of 29 with dementia, 51 (70.83%) of 72 with organic disorders, 75 (70.75%) of 106 with schizophrenia, 81 (70.43%) of 115 patients with depression, 17 (62.96%) of 27 with bipolar disorders, 27 (58.7%) of 46 with mood disorders and 7 (53.85%) of 13 with impulsive-control disorders.

The presence of T. gondii antibodies was demonstrated in a significant number of patients who attended the Psychiatric Clinic in Arad County, Western Romania. Results of this study suggest that T. gondii may be associated with several psychiatric disorders.

None Declared