The effect of toxoplasmosis on renal function in hemodialysis patients.

Abstract

Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite; it spreads via the circulatory system during infection and causes chronic infection in various organs. Toxoplasmosis affects nearly one third of people worldwide, especially immunocompromised people. This study aimed to determine the effect of toxoplasmosis on renal function in hemodialysis patients. Overall 300 patients referred to the Medical City, Al-Karama General Hospital, Baghdad, Iraq were enrolled from 2021 to 2022. All serum samples were tested for T. gondii immunoglobulins (IgG and IgM) antibodies, urea and creatinine levels. In patients undergoing hemodialysis, the results revealed a high positivity percentage for anti-Toxoplasma IgG. In hemodialysis patients infected with T. gondii, the urea and creatinine levels were higher than the controls. The mean urea level was high in hemodialysis patients infected with toxoplasmosis compare with hemodialysis patient without toxoplasmosis in different gender and age while the level of creatinine had no significant differences in hemodialysis patient with or without toxoplasmosis. These finding suggest that the incidental rate of toxoplasmosis could be considered as an indication to the high risk of hemodialysis patients.