Background: Laminin (LN) is an important extracellular matrix glycoprotein plays an important role in early embryonic development by promoting the cell adhesion and angiogenesis. It regulates many functions in the cell including proliferation, invasion, and signaling. However; the role of laminin is poorly known in relation with Toxoplasma gondii infection.
Objective: The current study aimed to examine the possibility of using the laminin as an indicator of an early infection of toxoplasmosis.
Methods: Eighty-seven women aged from 15-45 years. They were included in this study from September 2021 to February 2022. Blood samples were collected from healthy pregnant women and aborted and pregnant women infected with toxoplasmosis. Toxo-latex agglutination test was done followed by the detection of IgM and IgG antibodies, which were determined in sera from cases and controls using a commercially available enzyme-linked immunoassay. Finally, an ELISA test for laminin was performed as well.
Results: The seroprevalence of anti-T. gondii antibodies IgM or IgG were 14.94% (13/87) and 62.07% (54/87) respectively. Levels of laminin showed a significant decrease in the serum of 1-5 months aborted women with acute and chronic Toxoplasma Gondii infection in comparison with the control.
Conclusion: The levels of laminin in female patients infected with Toxoplasma Gondii might play an important role in early diagnosis of toxoplasmosis especially during the first 5 months of abortion or pregnancy because laminin is an important glycoprotein in the extracellular matrix component, which involved in embryogenesis, implantation, and placentation.