Title:Comparison of Toxoplasmosis in Narcotic Drug-addicted and Healthy Persons
in the Southwest of Iran; A Case-control Study
Volume: 23
Issue: 1
Author(s): Maryam Fasihi-Karami, Mehdi Sayyah, Forough Kazemi and Reza Arjmand*
Affiliation:
- Department of Parasitology,
Faculty of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research
Center, Health Research Institute, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
Keywords:
Toxoplasma gondii, toxoplasmosis, narcotic, drug-addicted persons, immune system, antibodies.
Abstract:
Introduction: Toxoplasmosis and narcotic drug addiction are endemic in various regions
of Iran. These drugs can provide situations for infections by disrupting the immune system. The current
case-control study was designed to determine the prevalence of toxoplasmosis in narcotic drugaddicted
persons in comparison with healthy subjects using serology and molecular techniques in the
southwest of Iran.
Methods: A total of 201 subjects (including 101 individuals with drug addiction and 100 control participants)
were randomly selected. Chronic and acute toxoplasmosis was detected using the enzymelinked
immunosorbent assay (ELISA) IgG avidity. T. gondii immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin
M (IgM) were also determined by the ELISA. Moreover, the presence of T. gondii in blood
samples was diagnosed using the nested-polymerase chain reaction (Nested-PCR).
Results: For T. gondii IgG, 17 (17.0%) of 100 and 39 (38.6%) of 101 cases were diagnosed in the control
participants and drug-addicted people, respectively [P=0.001, OR=3.071, CI= (1.591-5.929)].
Moreover, 16 (15.8) and 5 (5.0%) cases were positive for the B1 gene in the drug-addicted patients
and controls by the nested-PCR technique, respectively [P=0.019, OR=3.576, CI= (1.257-10.179)].
However, no significant differences were found between the opium (n=64) and crystal methamphetamine
(n=37) groups in terms of T. gondii IgG and IgM antibodies and the presence of the parasite in
the blood (P>0.05).
Conclusion: The present results demonstrated that the outbreak of the infection was more frequent in
narcotic drug-addicted persons than the controls using serology and molecular techniques.
