Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii and Its Effect on the Levels of Dopamine and Adrenaline in Humans

Abstract

The current study was conducted in Maysan province, Southern Iraq. Blood samples were collected from 174 individuals (male and female), from December 2020 to May 2021. ELISA was used to calculate the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii by determining the levels of anti-toxoplasma IgM and IgG, as well as the levels of dopamine and adrenaline in the participants' blood. The overall seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis in Amarah city is 52.3%. In regards to the seropositive cases, there is 32.97% positive to IgM, 38.46% is positive IgG, and 28.57% is positive to both IgM + IgG. The level mean of dopamine in toxoplasmosis-seropositive cases is 2.9543x10^-2 mg ml^-1, which is higher than that of negative cases (1.8086x10^-2 mg ml^-1). There are statistically significant differences (p<0.05) between the levels of dopamine in toxoplasmosis-seropositive and negative cases. The mean level of adrenaline in toxoplasmosis-seropositive cases is 2.8752x10^-2 mg ml^-1. Which is higher than that of negative cases (1.3670x10^-2 mg ml^-1), there is a statistically significant difference (p<0.05) between its levels in toxoplasmosis-seropositive and negative cases.