Background Findings on the association between Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) infection and suicide are contradictory. This paper aimed to resolve this uncertainty by conducting a meta-analysis. Methods We found the relevant studies using keywords include “Toxoplasmosis” and “Suicide” and the related synonyms in international databases such as ISI, Medline, and Scopus. The eligible studies were included in the meta-analysis phase. The random effect approach was applied to combine the results. Results Out Of 150 initial studies, 15 were included in the meta-analysis. Odds of suicide in people with T. gondii infection was 43% (OR: 1.43, 95%CI; 1.15 to 1.78) higher than those without this infection. The test for publication bias was not statistically significant, which indicates the absence of likely publication bias. Conclusion This study confirms that T. gondii infection is a potential risk factor for suicide. To reduce cases of suicide attributable to T. gondii infection, it is recommended to implement some measures to prevent and control the transmission of the disease.
Background: Toxoplasmosis is a worldwide infection caused by Toxoplasma gondii, an obligate intracellular protozoan. It infects approximately one-third of the world’s population. This study was conducted to determine the anti-T. gondii antibodies (IgG and IgM) in the rural population of Qaemshahr, northern Iran, in 2019. Methods: Serum samples of 350 individuals referred to the laboratories of the rural health centers in Qaemshahr, northern Iran, were collected from February to April 2019 and were assessed for anti-T. gondii antibodies (IgG and IgM) using the ELISA kits (Pishtazteb, Iran). The results were analyzed using the chi-square test. Results: Totally, 296 (84.57%, 95% CI: 80.07%-88.2%) out of 350 serum samples were positive for anti-T. gondii IgG antibody. There was a significant correlation between seropositivity of anti-T. gondii IgG antibody and age (P=0.000), contact with soil (P=0.000), and job. None of the samples were positive for anti-T. gondii IgM antibody. No significant association was observed between the seroprevalence of T. gondii and the gender, contact with the cat and other animals, and ingestion of undercooked meat, non-chlorinated water, undercooked egg, raw milk and vegetables. Conclusions: Results of the study showed that the prevalence of toxoplasmosis was much higher among the rural individuals in Qaemshahr, northern Iran, than those previously reported from other areas of Iran. Therefore, efforts should be focused on public health education to reduce the risk of toxoplasmosis transmission especially in the high-risk groups in this region.
Background findings on association of Toxoplasmosis and suicide is contradictory. This paper aimed to resolve this uncertainty with help of Meta-analysis. Methods using keywords include “Toxoplasmosis” and “suicide” and the relayed synonyms in international databases such as ISI, Medline and Scopus, we found the relevant studies. The eligible studies included into Meta-analysis phase. Random effect approach was used to combine the results. Results out of 150 initial studies, 16 were included into meta-analysis. Odds of suicide in person with toxoplasmosis was 47% (OR: 1.47, 95%CI; 1.20 to 1.79) higher than of that without toxoplasmosis. Test for publication bias was not statistically significant, which indicate absence of likely publication bias. Conclusion This study confirm which toxoplasmosis is a potential risk factor for suicide. To reduce cases of suicide attributable to Toxoplasmosis, it deserving the measures to prevent and control of transmission of toxoplasmosis should be taken.
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