Molecular investigation of Toxocara infection from the serum of people living with HIV in Alborz, Iran
Abstract Background Toxocara infection is one of the most common neglected infections of poverty and a helminthiasis of global importance. Traditional diagnostic methods such as antibodies detection in serum samples are limited due to cross-reactivity and poor sensitivity. The use of molecular base...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2023-05-01
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| Series: | BMC Infectious Diseases |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-023-08250-8 |
| _version_ | 1797832223225806848 |
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| author | Mohammad Zibaei Zahra Hatami Farzaneh Firoozeh Fatemeh Bakhshipour Abolfazl Miahipour Alireza Soleimani Elham Shokri |
| author_facet | Mohammad Zibaei Zahra Hatami Farzaneh Firoozeh Fatemeh Bakhshipour Abolfazl Miahipour Alireza Soleimani Elham Shokri |
| author_sort | Mohammad Zibaei |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Toxocara infection is one of the most common neglected infections of poverty and a helminthiasis of global importance. Traditional diagnostic methods such as antibodies detection in serum samples are limited due to cross-reactivity and poor sensitivity. The use of molecular base methods for diagnosis of Toxocara infection in Iran has not been fully explored. The purpose of the current study was to estimate the prevalence of Toxocara infection from serum samples of people living with HIV in Alborz province, Iran using serological and molecular methods. Methods Blood samples were collected from 105 people living with HIV. Epidemiological data of participant were obtained through a structured questionnaire to investigate the risk factors. Patients CD4+ T cell count were recorded. Anti-Toxocara IgG antibodies were detected by ELISA, with a cut-off point of 11. PCR was performed to detect genetic material of Toxocara species in the serum samples. Results The mean CD4+ count in HIV-infected individuals with positive toxocariasis serology was 255.1 ± 21.6 cells/µL. Seropositivity for Toxocara species was observed in 12/105 (11.4%) people living with HIV. Three samples gave positive results on PCR analysis. Based on the data, a statistically significant relationship was found between anti-Toxocara IgG antibodies seropositivity and underlying conditions (p = 0.017). No significant statistical association was observed between seropositivity for Toxocara and gender, age, exposure to domestic animals or pet keeping, education levels, and occupation (p > 0.05). The findings of PCR confirmed Toxocara DNA in 3/12 (25.0%) serum samples. Conclusion These findings demonstrated for the first time that people living with HIV from Alborz province, are being exposed to this zoonosis and a relatively high seroprevalence of Toxocara in HIV/AIDS people needs comprehensive health education regarding personal hygiene and how to avoid exposure to this parasite infection, especially in people with an impaired immune system. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-09T14:04:21Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-5f77c6583c0c4de89da182f5a4e59ee2 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1471-2334 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-09T14:04:21Z |
| publishDate | 2023-05-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Infectious Diseases |
| spelling | doaj.art-5f77c6583c0c4de89da182f5a4e59ee22023-05-07T11:06:45ZengBMCBMC Infectious Diseases1471-23342023-05-012311710.1186/s12879-023-08250-8Molecular investigation of Toxocara infection from the serum of people living with HIV in Alborz, IranMohammad Zibaei0Zahra Hatami1Farzaneh Firoozeh2Fatemeh Bakhshipour3Abolfazl Miahipour4Alireza Soleimani5Elham Shokri6Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Alborz University of Medical SciencesDepartment of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Alborz University of Medical SciencesDepartment of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Alborz University of Medical SciencesDepartment of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Alborz University of Medical SciencesDepartment of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Alborz University of Medical SciencesDepartment of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, Alborz University of Medical SciencesDepartment of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical SciencesAbstract Background Toxocara infection is one of the most common neglected infections of poverty and a helminthiasis of global importance. Traditional diagnostic methods such as antibodies detection in serum samples are limited due to cross-reactivity and poor sensitivity. The use of molecular base methods for diagnosis of Toxocara infection in Iran has not been fully explored. The purpose of the current study was to estimate the prevalence of Toxocara infection from serum samples of people living with HIV in Alborz province, Iran using serological and molecular methods. Methods Blood samples were collected from 105 people living with HIV. Epidemiological data of participant were obtained through a structured questionnaire to investigate the risk factors. Patients CD4+ T cell count were recorded. Anti-Toxocara IgG antibodies were detected by ELISA, with a cut-off point of 11. PCR was performed to detect genetic material of Toxocara species in the serum samples. Results The mean CD4+ count in HIV-infected individuals with positive toxocariasis serology was 255.1 ± 21.6 cells/µL. Seropositivity for Toxocara species was observed in 12/105 (11.4%) people living with HIV. Three samples gave positive results on PCR analysis. Based on the data, a statistically significant relationship was found between anti-Toxocara IgG antibodies seropositivity and underlying conditions (p = 0.017). No significant statistical association was observed between seropositivity for Toxocara and gender, age, exposure to domestic animals or pet keeping, education levels, and occupation (p > 0.05). The findings of PCR confirmed Toxocara DNA in 3/12 (25.0%) serum samples. Conclusion These findings demonstrated for the first time that people living with HIV from Alborz province, are being exposed to this zoonosis and a relatively high seroprevalence of Toxocara in HIV/AIDS people needs comprehensive health education regarding personal hygiene and how to avoid exposure to this parasite infection, especially in people with an impaired immune system.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-023-08250-8ToxocariasisELISAPCRPeople living with HIVZoonosis |
| spellingShingle | Mohammad Zibaei Zahra Hatami Farzaneh Firoozeh Fatemeh Bakhshipour Abolfazl Miahipour Alireza Soleimani Elham Shokri Molecular investigation of Toxocara infection from the serum of people living with HIV in Alborz, Iran BMC Infectious Diseases Toxocariasis ELISA PCR People living with HIV Zoonosis |
| title | Molecular investigation of Toxocara infection from the serum of people living with HIV in Alborz, Iran |
| title_full | Molecular investigation of Toxocara infection from the serum of people living with HIV in Alborz, Iran |
| title_fullStr | Molecular investigation of Toxocara infection from the serum of people living with HIV in Alborz, Iran |
| title_full_unstemmed | Molecular investigation of Toxocara infection from the serum of people living with HIV in Alborz, Iran |
| title_short | Molecular investigation of Toxocara infection from the serum of people living with HIV in Alborz, Iran |
| title_sort | molecular investigation of toxocara infection from the serum of people living with hiv in alborz iran |
| topic | Toxocariasis ELISA PCR People living with HIV Zoonosis |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-023-08250-8 |
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