Influence of Toxoplasma gondii infection on symptoms and signs of premenstrual syndrome: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Infection with Toxoplasma gondii in brain may cause some symptoms that resemble those in women with premenstrual syndrome. To determine the association of T. gondii infection with symptoms and signs of premenstrual syndrome, we examined 489 women aged 30–40 years old. Sera of participants were analyzed for the presence of anti-Toxoplasma IgG and IgM antibodies using enzyme-linked immunoassays (EIA) and T. gondii DNA by polymerase chain reaction (PCR).Anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies were found in 38 (7.8%) of the women studied. Anti-T. gondii IgM antibodies were found in 13 (34.2%) of the 38 IgG seropositive women. Logistic regression showed two variables associated with seropositivity to T. gondii: presence of diarrhea (odds ratio [OR] = 6.10; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.37–27.85; P = 0.01) and weight gain (OR = 2.89; 95% CI: 1.37–6.07; P = 0.005), and two variables associated with high (>150 IU/ml) levels of IgG against T. gondii: presence of diarrhea (OR = 7.40; 95% CI: 1.79–30.46; P = 0.006) and abdominal inflammation (OR = 3.38; 95% CI: 1.13–10.10; P = 0.02). Positivity to EIA IgG and PCR was positively associated with obesity and negatively associated with joint pain by bivariate analysis.Our study for the first time reveals a potential association of T. gondii infection with clinical manifestations of premenstrual syndrome.

Toxoplasma gondii infection impairs the colonic motility of rats due to loss of myenteric neurons

“…This initial immune response is mediated by cytokines and chemokines released by invaded enterocytes and by lymphocytes and macrophages which migrate to the mucosa 10‐12 . Diarrhea is common in some species infected with T gondii as chicken, 13 pigs, 14 and immunodepressed humans 15‐18 …”

“…[10][11][12] Diarrhea is common in some species infected with T gondii as chicken, 13 pigs, 14 and immunodepressed humans. [15][16][17][18] Diarrhea is a clinical sign that can indicate disturbance of the enteric nervous system. 19 Alterations in the frequency and intensity of the intestinal contractions are observed during the diarrhea triggered by several pathogens.…”

Association between Toxoplasma gondii exposure and abdominal pain: An age- and gender-matched case-control seroprevalence study

“…In addition, T. gondii causes pathology in liver, pancreas, spleen, and mesenteric lymph nodes in several animal species [ 18–20 ]. Furthermore, T. gondii infection was associated with abdominal inflammation in women [ 27 ]. Interestingly, in the current study, stratification by gender showed an association between T. gondii infection and frequent abdominal pain in women.…”

An HIV‐positive woman with massive brain lesion due to toxoplasmosis: A case report

“…Most T. gondii infections are asymptomatic; people developing parasitic toxoplasmosis show no signs of infection if they have an intact immune system 4 . However, clinical manifestations of the disease called toxoplasmosis can be seen in some individuals 5 . Toxoplasmosis may involve lymph nodes, eyes, or the central nervous system 6 .…”

“… 4 However, clinical manifestations of the disease called toxoplasmosis can be seen in some individuals. 5 Toxoplasmosis may involve lymph nodes, eyes, or the central nervous system. 6 Toxoplasmosis can be life‐threatening in immunocompromised patients.…”