The Impact of Acute and Chronic Infection with Toxoplasma Gondii on Serum IFN-γ and IL-10 levels among Pregnant Women Attending Al-Rifai Hospital in Rifai City , Dhi Qar

Abstract

          Toxoplasmosis is a zoonotic disease caused by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii. It is widespread worldwide and infects most warm-blooded animals, including humans. The present study included 219 blood samples from pregnant women. ELISA was used to detect toxoplasmosis infections, where IgG and IgM were used to detect chronic and acute infections, respectively. Cytokine levels (IL-10, IFN-γ) were also detected in infected and uninfected pregnant women to determine the extent to which their levels in the blood are affected by acute and chronic infections with the parasite. The results of the study showed that acute toxoplasmosis infection led to a significant increase in the levels of IFN-γ and IL-10 in infected pregnant women compared to uninfected pregnant women. On the other hand, chronic infection with toxoplasmosis led to a significant increase in the level of IL-10 in infected pregnant women compared to uninfected pregnant women, while the increase in the level of IFN-γ was not significant in pregnant women infected with acute toxoplasmosis compared to uninfected pregnant women.