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- Title
Toxoplasmosis in immunocompetent Saudi women: Correlation with vitamin D.
- Authors
Rasheed, Zafar; Shariq, Ali; AlQefari, Ghaida B; Alwahbi, Ghayda S; Aljuaythin, Amal I; Alsuhaibani, Fidaa S; Alotaibi, Daliyah F; Aljohani, Shahad S; Alghasham, Ruqiah; Alsaeed, Thamir; Alharbi, Nada A; Rugaie, Osamah Al; Abdulmonem, Waleed Al; Sharaf, Osama F
- Abstract
Objective: Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is a life-threatening parasite particularly infecting the immunocompromised women. Deficiency of vitamin D is well reported in several infectious disorders. This study was undertaken to investigate a correlation of vitamin D deficiency with the onset of T. gondii infection in immunocompetent women from the central of Saudi Arabia. Methods: Blood samples were collected from 304 Saudi women from the Qassim region of Saudi Arabia. Specific immunoassays were used to determine the levels of T. gondii immunoglobulin G and vitamin D. The SPSS and the Prism Graph Pad statistical software were used for the data analysis. Results: Out of 304 women, 18.8% were found to be positive for toxoplasmosis. Interestingly, the serum levels of vitamin D in toxoplasma positive cases were found to be significantly low as compared with the levels of vitamin D in toxoplasma negative cases. Moreover, sociodemographic risk factors such as age, residence location, and consumption of fruits/vegetables were also found to be associated with vitamin D deficiency and with the seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis. Conclusion: This study investigated a direct correlation of vitamin D deficiency with the severity of the toxoplasmosis in Saudi women. Therefore, it is predicted that vitamin D supplementation may provide protection against toxoplasma infection.
- Publication
Women's Health (17455057), 2021, p1
- ISSN
1745-5057
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1177/17455065211043844