Background: Sex-associated hormones
influence the severity of Toxoplasma
gondii infection
especially
during
pregnancy and if immmunosuppression
takes place.
Aim of the study: So, the aim of
our work is to study sex-related effects
on the course of chronic toxoplasmosis
in mice.
Methods: Twenty male and 20 female
mice were artificially infected
with
cystogenic type II ME49
Toxoplasma
strain. The morbidity was assessed
in both sexes in acute stage
by
observing clinical signs of toxoplasmosis
besides examination of
peritoneal
aspirate for tachyzoites.
In
chronic stage, morbidity was as- sessed by estimation of brain cyst
burden, histopathological examination
and monitoring serum antiToxoplasma
IL- 12 using ELISA.
Results: There was no significant
difference between males and females
regarding clinical signs in
acute
stage. In chronic stage, females
have more brain cyst count
and
more pathological lesions than
males.
Moreover, the results obtained
by measurement of antiToxoplasma
IL-12 showed high levels
in male than female group.
Conclusion: Our results demonstrated
that male mice are less susceptible
to infection while, female
ones
are more susceptible and
showing
exaggerated inflammatory reaction and more cysts count in brain.