Association of Toxoplasmosis and COVID-19 in a MexicanPopulation.

SARS-CoV-2 is the causal agent of COVID-19; the first report of SARS-CoV-2 infection was in December 2019 in Wuhan, China. This virus has since caused the largest pandemic in history, and the number of deaths and infections has been significant. Nevertheless, the development of vaccines has helped to reduce both deaths and infections. Comorbidities such as diabetes, hypertension, heart and lung diseases, and obesity have been identified as additional risk factors for infection and the progression of COVID-19. Additionally, latent toxoplasmosis has been reported to be a risk factor for acquiring COVID-19 in some studies, but other studies have suggested a negative association between these two infections. Furthermore, in patients after vaccination or with COVID-19 and coinfection, an increase in the lethality and mortality of toxoplasmosis has been observed. Therefore, the objective of the current study is to determine the association of toxoplasmosis with COVID-19 in patients diagnosed with COVID-19. Serum samples from 384 patients previously diagnosed with COVID-19 using IgG antibodies against the S1/S2 antigens of SARS-CoV-2 were collected. Subsequently, anti-Toxoplasma IgG and IgM antibodies were analyzed with ELISA. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS Version 20.0 frequencies, percentages, 2 × 2 tables, and the Pearson correlation coefficient. IgG and IgM anti-Toxoplasma antibodies were positive in 105/384 (27.34%) and (26/191) 13.6% of patients, respectively. The positivity for both infections was higher in patients aged >40 years old. Subjects who were overweight or obese were mainly positive for both IgG antibodies against S1/S2 SARS-CoV-2 and Toxoplasma antibodies. In conclusion, the coinfection rate was 21.7%. The prevalence of S1/S2 SARS-CoV-2 was 308/384 (80.2%), and the percentage of Toxoplasma antibodies was 27.34%.

Soroepidemiologia da toxoplasmose em estudantes de nível secundário naárea metropolitana de Guadalajara, Jalisco, México / Seroepidemiology of toxoplasmosis in high-school students in the metropolitan area of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico

Aims: To determine the prevalence of specific antibodies and the associated risk factors for toxoplasmosis in students attending high-shool in Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico. Methods: Toxoplasma gondii-specific IgG and IgM antibodies were detected by using a home-made indirect immunofluorescence antibodies test. Socio-demographic variables and risk factors were recorded. The correlation was measured by Odds Ratio (95% CI), using Chi-square or Fischer test for statistical significance. Results: Blood samples from 174 volunteer students were collected. The age range was 14 to 25 years old, and 109 (63%) were female. Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii-specific IgG and IgM antibodies were 17.8% and 4.6%, respectively. We did not find statistically significant differences due to age or gender. From the risk factors studied, the only significant association was found between T.gondii-specific IgG antibodies and the consumption of undercooked meat. Seven out of 11 (63.6%) students who consumed undercooked meat were IgG positive, compared with 22/159 (13.8%) who did not have this habit (OR 10.8, 95%CI 2.9-40.4). Other variables were not statistically significant. Conclusions: Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii specific IgG and IgM antibodies were 17.8% and 4.6%, respectively. Students who had consumed undercooked meat had a 10.8 times greater risk of acquiring Toxoplasma gondii infection.

Objetivos: Determinar la prevalencia de anticuerpos anti-Toxoplasma y factores de riesgo asociados para toxoplasmosis en estudiantes de bachillerato en Zapopan, Jalisco, México. Métodos: Los anticuerpos IgG e IgM anti-Toxoplasma gondii fueron determinados usando el método de inmunofluorescencia indirecta realizado en nuestro laboratorio y previamente estandarizado. Variables socio-demográficas y factores de riesgo para toxoplasmosis fueron analizados y correlacionados con la presencia de anticuerpos. La correlación fue realizada mediante razón de momios con un intervalo de confianza del 95%. Fueron utilizados Chi cuadrada ó significancia estadística de Fischer. Resultados: Fueron determinados los anticuerpos en 174 estudiantes. El rango de edad fue de 14 a 25 años y 109 (63%) correspondió al género femenino. La prevalencia de anticuerpos anti-Toxoplasma fue de 17,8% para IgG y 4,6% para IgM. No se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas con relación a edad y genero. De los factores de riesgo estudiados, la asociación entre anticuerpos anti-Toxoplasma clase IgG y el consumo de carne poco cocida fue la única significativa. Siete de cada 11 (63,6%) los estudiantes que consumieron carne mal cocida IgG-positivos, en comparación con 22/159 (13,8%) que no tenían este hábito (odds ratio: 10,8, intervalo de confianza del 95%: 2,9-40,4). Otras variables no fueron estadísticamente significativas. Conclusiones: La prevalencia de anticuerpos anti-Toxoplasma clase IgG fue de 17,8% y 4,6% a IgM. Los estudiantes que consumían carne mal cocida tuvieron 10,8 veces mayor riesgo para adquirir la infección por Toxoplasma gondii.