Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii among Children with Beta-thalassemia Major and its Effect on Selected Immune Parameters.

OBJECTIVE: The seroprevalence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies among children with beta-thalassemia major is not explored yet. The effect of T. gondii infection on the immune response of patients and to analyse its potential association with selected immune parameters, namely interleukin (IL)-10, IL-12, IL-17, interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), and the concentrations of CD4+ and CD8+ cluster of differentiation markers in serum is examined. The study aimed to investigate the seroprevalence of anti-T. gondii antibodies and the immunological impact in children with β-thalassemia major. METHODS: The study included 90 children (71 BTM and 19 controls), aged 6-15 years. Serum, obtained from 5 mL blood samples, was used to detect anti-T. gondii immunoglobulin (Ig)G and IgM antibodies by rapid tests, ELISA, and VIDAS, while cytokine levels were measured by ELISA. After serological testing, participants were classified into 4 groups: thalassemia + parasite, thalassemia only, parasite only, and healthy control. Data were analysed using chi-square and Kruskal-Wallis tests (p<0.05), with results expressed as mean ± standard error for statistical comparison between study groups. RESULTS: The total seroprevalence of T. gondii was 30.0% (27/90); it was 35.21% among thalassemia patients and 10.53% (2/19) in the control group. Among thalassemia patients, IgM and IgG seropositivity rates were 8.45% (6/71) and 26.76%, respectively; in controls, they were 0.0% and 10.53% (2/19). BTM children showed significantly lower levels of IL-10, IL-12, IL-17, CD4+, and CD8+ (p<0.05), whereas IFN-γ (p>0.12). CONCLUSION: Children with BTM showed a significantly higher seroprevalence of T. gondii than healthy controls. Infection was associated with significant alterations in immune parameters, indicating increased immune dysregulation in these patients.