Ozlem Miman

The probable relation between Toxoplasma gondii and Parkinson's disease

Parkinsons disease (PD), a chronic progressive neurodegenerative disorder, has a mainly unknown multifactorial etiology. Neuroinflammatory mechanisms might contribute to the cascade of events leading to neuronal degeneration. Toxoplasmosis can be associated with various neuropsychiatric disorders. The most commonly affected central nervous system (CNS) region in toxoplasmosis is the cerebral hemisphere, followed by the basal ganglia, cerebellum and brain stem. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to investigate the possible association between Toxoplasma infection and PD by evaluating the serum anti-Toxoplasma gondii IgG antibodies. There were no difference between the socioeconomic status of the patients and control subjects and magnetic resonance images of the patients were normal. Serum anti-T. gondii IgG levels were measured using ELISA. There was no statistically significant differences among the patients and control subjects with respect to age (66.01+/-12.14 years, 62.42+/-5.93 years, p=0.089; respectively) and gender. The sero-positivity rate for anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies in PD patients and control groups were 42.3 and 22.5%, respectively, and they were statistically significant (p=0.006). These results suggest that Toxoplasma infection may be involved in the pathogenetic mechanisms of PD. If confirmed, this hypothesis would represent a valuable advancement in care of patients with Parkinsons disease.

Is there any role of Toxoplasma gondii in the etiology of obsessive-compulsive disorder?

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a common psychiatric illness. Although the aetiology of OCD is still unknown, the family-genetic data show that familial forms of OCD may be associated with a specific genetic susceptibility. Recent investigations have associated development of OCD with infectious illness. Toxoplasmic encephalitis (TE) is a common presentation of Toxoplasma gondii infection of the central nervous system (CNS). The most commonly affected CNS region in TE is the cerebral hemisphere, followed by the basal ganglia, cerebellum and brain stem. The basal ganglia has been implicated in the development of OCD. Therefore, in this study, it was aimed to investigate a possible association between Toxoplasma infection and OCD. We selected 42 patients with OCD and 100 healthy volunteers, and investigated the sero-positivity rate for anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibodies by Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). The sero-positivity rate for anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies among OCD patients (47.62%) was found to be significantly higher than the rate in healthy volunteers (19%). This is the first report to examine a potential association between Toxoplasma infection and OCD. The main finding of the present study is an increased level of IgG antibodies to T. gondii in OCD patients when compared with the level in healthy controls. There might be a causal relationship between chronic toxoplasmosis and the aetiology of OCD.

Could Toxoplasma gondii have any role in Alzheimer disease

BackgroundAlzheimer disease (AD), a chronic progressive neurodegenerative disorder, has a mainly unknown multifactorial etiology. Neuroinflammatory mechanisms might contribute to the cascade of events leading to neuronal degeneration. Central nervous system infections have been previously suggested as possible etiological agents in the development of sporadic AD. Toxoplasmosis can be associated with various neuropsychiatric disorders. In this study, we aimed to investigate the possible association between toxoplasma infection and AD. MethodsThis study evaluated the serum anti-Toxoplasma gondii IgG levels. It included an age-matched and sex-matched study and control groups that consisted of 34 patients with AD and 37 healthy individuals, respectively. There were no difference between the socio economic states of the patients and control subjects. serecm anti – I – gondi IgG levels were measured by using ELISA. ResultsAccording to the statistical analysis, there were no significant differences among the patients and the control participants with respect to age (68.05±15.98, 62.91±5.89 y, P=0.072; respectively) and sex. The seropositivity rate for anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies among AD patients and control groups were 44.1% and 24.3%, respectively, and there was significant difference between the serum anti-T. gondii IgG levels (P=0.005). ConclusionsOur findings suggest that toxoplasma infection may be involved in the pathogenetic mechanisms of AD. If confirmed, a positive correlation between toxoplasmosis and AD may lead to new approaches for the management of AD.

[Alveolar echinococcosis in Turkey: in the light of the literature].

Alveolar echinococcosis is a parasitic infectious disease caused by the larval stage of Echinococcus multilocularis, which is one of the two most important species of Echinococcus. Foxes are significant reservoir hosts in Europe. AE is an endemic disease in Turkey and is particularly common in people living in the eastern Anatolia region. The disease is a very aggressive and potentially fatal infection which always affects the liver primarily, develops as a tumor-like lesion and metastasizes to any part of the body. Diagnosis of AE is often difficult and almost always only possible in the later stages of the disease. Surgical resection and liver transplantation, as life-saving treatments, are accepted treatment options for early and advanced disease. The records of 162 cases of AE in Turkey, 24 case reports in the form of a separate report, were published during the 2000-2010 period. Most of these cases came from eastern and southeastern Anatolia (86.24% of cases). Their ages ranged from 23 to 71 years (mean age: 45.72±8.99). 62.20% of the cases were females. AE was located mainly in the liver (95.03%). Thus, radiological and serological screening studies for the public in this region may increase the possibility of surgical treatment for AE.

Cysticercus bovis in Turkey and its importance from the public health aspect

This study was conducted in order to compare the different regions according to the literature on the prevalence of bovine cysticercosis and T. saginata in Turkey. Bovine cysticercosis and T. saginata status were evaluated retrospectively. The distribution of the data obtained according to provinces and regions were showed in the Table and the minumum / maximum values of this data in different regions in the Figure. The data obtained through the literature showed that the prevalence of C. bovis and T. saginata infections are parallel in the same region. The higher prevalence of both C. bovis and T. saginata infections was determined in the Southeastern Anatolia, Eastern Anatolia and Central Anatolia regions respectively.

The prevalence of intestinal parasites in children with Helicobacter pylori gastritis evaluated retrospectively

OBJECTIVE H. pylori infection is more frequent and is seen in younger ages in developing countries when compared to developed countries. Etiopathogenetic factors include living in crowded families, low educational level of mother, low income and infected drinking water. Intestinal parasites are more frequent in low socioeconomical populations. In this study, it was aimed to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasite in patients with H. pylori gastritis proven with endoscopic and histopathological study. METHODS Parasitology laboratory results of children who had undergone upper gastrointestinal system endoscopy (UGE) and were proved to have H. pylori gastritis were evaluated retrospectively. Stool samples were examined using native lugol and precipitation by formol ethyl acetate methods. RESULTS A total of 138 children had undergone upper GIS endoscopy. Among those children, 97,1% had H. pylori positive gastritis. Of those H. pylori positive gastritis children, we obtained the stool test results of 105 children. Six children (5.71%) had Blastocystis hominis and 2 (1.91%) had Giardia intestinalis so a total of 8 patients had (7.61%) intestinal parasites. CONCLUSION H. pylori and intestinal parasites are frequent among individuals living in low socioeconomical countries. The co-existence of hp and intestinal parasites, which have a negative effect on thriving and iron status in a growing child is a very important public health problem. National sanitation education and methods may help decrease the co-existence of these synergistic microorganisms.

Cysticercus bovis in slaughtered cattle in the Afyonkarahisar and Burdur provinces and its importance from the point of view of public health

OBJECTIVE This study was conducted to determine the current status of bovine cysticercosis and human taeniosis in two provinces (Afyonkarahisar and Burdur in the western part of Turkey between October 2009 and October 2011). METHODS In the study period, a total of 1684 cattle and 7644 human stool samples were examined for Cysticercus bovis, and Taeniosis, respectively. Carcasses of animals were subjected to routine meat inspection. Stool samples of humans were analysed macroscopically and microscopically including direct and formaldehyde-ether sedimentation methods. RESULTS C. bovis was determined in 0.24% of cattle by postmortem examination. The prevalence of infection was found to be 0.46% in Afyonkarahisar and 0.09% in Burdur. Taenia sp. eggs were shown in 0.1% of the human stool samples. The infection rate was detected as 0.1% and 0.09% in Afyonkarahisar and Burdur, respectively. CONCLUSION This study is characterized as a preliminary investigation which offers useful information on a public health level within a short time at a low cost. Results obtained from this study cannot be generalized to study areas in epidemiological terms, but they are useful data for the relevant geography.