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45917

Insights into the interplay of latent toxoplasmosis, testosterone, cortisol and oxidative stress in screened schizophrenic patients in Egypt

Article

Last updated: 22 Jan 2023

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Abstract

Background: Toxoplasma gondii is a wide-spread infection. Most cases are asymptomatic latent toxoplasmosis and its link with schizophrenia is of wide interest. Toxoplasmosis induces immunopathological and neuroendocrine alterations that induce activation of hypothalamic pituitary-adrenal axis resulting in higher glucocorticoid and testosterone levels. Oxidative stress also has a role since antioxidants as glutathione (GSH) were found to be reduced. Objective: To assess seroprevalence/serointensity of toxoplasmosis in schizophrenic patients in relation to the levels of testosterone, cortisol and GSH activity in order to evaluate these factors in the etiopathogenesis of schizophrenic patients harboring latent toxoplasmosis. Subjects and Methods: In this cross sectional case control study, 120 schizophrenic inpatients were compared with 120 individuals attending the outpatients' clinics in the same age range, and after exclusion of schizophrenia. Schizophrenia was confirmed or excluded using positive and negative syndrome scale (PANSS). Levels of Toxoplasma IgG, free testosterone, cortisol and GSH were determined in both groups. Results: Statistical analysis revealed no differences between cases and controls as regard age, gender, contact with pets, and Toxoplasma IgG seroprevalence. Toxoplasma IgG seroprevalence was higher in males compared to females and in rural areas than in urban areas. In Toxoplasma-positive patients, testosterone was higher in both genders and glutathione was lower, while no significant difference was documented in relation to PANSS, treatment with electroconvulsive-therapy (ECT) or cortisol level. Schizophrenic patients showed higher Toxoplasma antibody titer, cortisol, free testosterone levels in both genders and lower GSH than control. Male schizophrenic patients particularly showed lower GSH level and higher Toxoplasma antibody titer. Free testosterone level was significantly higher in male patients who had received ECT. Conclusion: Latent toxoplasmosis may be involved in the etiology of schizophrenia. Screening and treatment of toxoplasmosis is advisable to prevent schizophrenia. Also, screening of schizophrenic patients for chronic toxoplasmosis and the fore mentioned parameters is recommended for prediction of complications and presents a promising approach for prevention and management.

DOI

10.21608/puj.2019.11819.1040

Keywords

Cortisol, glutathione, latent toxoplasmosis, Schizophrenia, testosterone

Authors

First Name

Naglaa

Last Name

El-Gebaly

MiddleName

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Affiliation

Departments of Medical Parasitology,Faculties of Medicine, Cairo University

Email

nssoliman@kasralainy.edu.eg

City

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Orcid

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First Name

Magda

Last Name

Abd-Eltawab

MiddleName

-

Affiliation

Departments of Medical Parasitology , Faculties of Medicine ,Cairo University

Email

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City

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Orcid

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First Name

Alshaimaa

Last Name

Hamed

MiddleName

-

Affiliation

Departments of Medical Parasitology , Faculties of Medicine ,Cairo University

Email

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City

-

Orcid

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First Name

Noha

Last Name

Mahfouz

MiddleName

-

Affiliation

Psychiatric disorders and addiction ,Faculties of Medicine , Cairo University

Email

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City

-

Orcid

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First Name

Shadan

Last Name

Adel

MiddleName

-

Affiliation

Psychiatric disorders and addiction ,Faculties of Medicine , Cairo University

Email

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City

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Orcid

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First Name

Amal

Last Name

Mahfoz

MiddleName

-

Affiliation

Pharmacolog ,Faculties of Pharmacy, Modern University for Technology & Information and National Organization for Drug Control and Research, Giza

Email

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City

-

Orcid

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First Name

Mohammed

Last Name

Rehan

MiddleName

-

Affiliation

Internal Medicine ,Faculties of Medicine , Beni Suif University

Email

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City

-

Orcid

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First Name

Eman

Last Name

Elsebaei

MiddleName

-

Affiliation

Community Medicine ,Faculties of Medicine ,Cairo University

Email

-

City

-

Orcid

-

Volume

12

Article Issue

2

Related Issue

7111

Issue Date

2019-08-01

Receive Date

2019-04-11

Publish Date

2019-08-01

Page Start

102

Page End

109

Print ISSN

1687-7942

Online ISSN

2090-2646

Link

https://puj.journals.ekb.eg/article_45917.html

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https://puj.journals.ekb.eg/service?article_code=45917

Order

3

Type

Original Article

Type Code

426

Publication Type

Journal

Publication Title

Parasitologists United Journal

Publication Link

https://puj.journals.ekb.eg/

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Article

Created At

22 Jan 2023