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BMC Infectious Diseases
Published in: BMC Infectious Diseases 1/2021

Open Access 01-12-2021 | Toxoplasmosis | Research article

Latent Toxoplasma gondii infections are associated with elevated biomarkers of inflammation and vascular injury

Authors: Andrey I. Egorov, Reagan R. Converse, Shannon M. Griffin, Jennifer N. Styles, Elizabeth Sams, Edward Hudgens, Timothy J. Wade

Published in: BMC Infectious Diseases | Issue 1/2021

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Abstract

Background

Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan parasite that infects cats as definitive hosts and other warm-blooded animals including humans as intermediate hosts. It forms infectious cysts in the brain, muscle and other tissues establishing life-long latent infection. Approximately 10% of the US population is infected. While latent infections are largely asymptomatic, they are associated with neurological deficits and elevated risks of neuropsychiatric diseases.

Methods

This cross-sectional epidemiological study investigated associations of T. gondii infections with biomarkers of inflammation and vascular injury: soluble intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1), C-reactive protein (CRP), and serum amyloid A (SAA). Serum samples from 694 adults in the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill, North Carolina metropolitan area were tested for IgG antibody response to T. gondii, and for the above biomarkers using commercially available assays.

Results

T. gondii seroprevalence rate in this sample was 9.7%. Seropositivity was significantly associated with 11% (95% confidence limits 4, 20%) greater median levels of VCAM-1 (p = 0.003), and marginally significantly with 9% (1, 17%), and 36% (1, 83%) greater median levels of ICAM-1, and CRP, respectively (p = 0.04 for each) after adjusting for sociodemographic and behavioral covariates, while the 23% (− 7, 64%) adjusted effect on SAA was not statistically significant (p = 0.15).

Conclusions

Latent infections with T. gondii are associated with elevated biomarkers of chronic inflammation and vascular injury that are also known to be affected by ambient air pollution.
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Metadata
Title
Latent Toxoplasma gondii infections are associated with elevated biomarkers of inflammation and vascular injury
Authors
Andrey I. Egorov
Reagan R. Converse
Shannon M. Griffin
Jennifer N. Styles
Elizabeth Sams
Edward Hudgens
Timothy J. Wade
Publication date
01-12-2021
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Infectious Diseases / Issue 1/2021
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2334
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-021-05882-6

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