ABSTRACT
This study aimed to determine the prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii and cytomegalovirus [CMV] antibodies in patients with chronic renal failure [CRF] with and without hemodialysis. To achieve this aim, 60 patients with CRF, in addition to 20 healthy controls were investigated. Patients were classified into 3 groups: Group I comprised 20 patients with CRF who have not any hemodialysis sessions, under conservative treatment, group II comprised 20 patients with CRF due to primary renal diseases already on hemodialysis and group III comprised 20 patients with renal failure secondary to collagen disease or accompanied by liver disease undergoing hemodialysis. Out of 60 patients, Toxoplasma antibodies were detected in 38.3% and in 15% of the normal controls with a statistical significant difference. High percentage of positivity for Toxoplasma and CMV antibodies in patients with CRF undergoing hemodialysis was noticed, which was also correlated to the number of the dialysis sessions. So, it can be concluded that CRF patients undergoing hemodialysis should be screened for toxoplasma and cytomegalovirus before dialysis to prevent the dissemination of these infections through dialysis procedure