Immunological and Molecular Evaluation of Toxoplasma Gondii Infection and Determined Impact on Renal and Liver Function Tests in Hemodialysis Patients in Kirkuk City/Iraq

Abstract Background: Toxoplasma gondii is the etiological agent of toxoplasmosis. Patients with chronic renal failure are at elevated risk for parasitic infections, particularly Toxoplasma gondii, due to immune system dysfunction, which can result in severe symptoms and occasionally lead to mortality. This study aimed to identify Toxoplasma gondii infection both serologically and molecularly in haemodialysis patients, as well as to assess the impact of toxoplasmosis on renal and liver function tests in these individuals. Materials and Methods: A total of 180 individuals participated in the present study, comprising 130 haemodialysis patients and 50 healthy persons. Serological detection of toxoplasmosis was performed on all 180 samples using the ELISA technique, and all positive ELISA results for Toxoplasma gondii antibodies were subsequently subjected to Real-Time PCR detection. Additionally, blood urea, serum creatinine, serum alanine aminotransferase, serum aspartate aminotransferase, and serum alkaline phosphatase levels were quantified using NeoChem 20. Results: Seropositivity was detected in 39.2% of haemodialysis patients and 28% of the healthy cohort. The prevalence rates of anti-toxoplasmosis IgM and IgG antibodies, as well as the Toxoplasma gondii B1 gene in haemodialysis patients, were 4.6%, 34.6%, and 27.4%, respectively, while the corresponding values in the healthy group were 0%, 28%, and 0%, respectively. The infection rate in male haemodialysis patients was greater than in females, though not significantly. Moreover, the concentrations of blood urea and serum creatinine were elevated in haemodialysis patients infected with toxoplasmosis compared to haemodialysis patients without toxoplasmosis and the healthy group. Conversely, the concentrations of serum Alanine aminotransferase (S.ALT), serum aspartate aminotransferase (S.AST), and serum alkaline phosphatase (S.ALP) were significantly elevated in haemodialysis patients infected with toxoplasmosis compared to other cohorts in this investigation. Conclusions: The implementation of serological and molecular screening tests for Toxoplasma gondii in haemodialysis patients, who are frequently exposed to dialysis, is a critical measure to prevent the spread of infection among this population. Infection with Toxoplasma gondii adversely affects kidney and liver biomarkers in haemodialysis patients compared to a healthy cohort.