Toxoplasma gondii infection and abdominal hernia: evidence of a new association

Abstract

BackgroundWe performed a retrospective, observational study in 1156 adult subjects from the general population of Durango City, Mexico, Fifty five subjects with a history of abdominal hernia repair and 1101 subjects without hernia were examined with enzyme-linked immunoassays for the presence of anti-Toxoplasma IgG and IgM antibodies.ResultsThe seroprevalence of anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibodies and IgG titers was significantly higher in subjects with abdominal hernia repair than those without hernia. There was a tendency for subjects with hernia repair to have a higher seroprevalence of anti-Toxoplasma IgM antibodies than subjects without hernia. The seroprevalence of anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibodies in subjects with hernia repair was significantly higher in subjects ≥ 50 years old than those < 50 years old. Further analysis in subjects aged ≥ 50 years showed that the seroprevalence of anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibodies was also significantly higher in individuals with hernia repair than those without hernia (OR = 2.72; 95% CI: 1.10-6.57). Matching by age and sex further showed that the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma infection was significantly higher in patients with hernia repair than those without hernia (OR: 4.50; 95% CI: 1.22-17.33).ConclusionsResults indicate that infection with Toxoplasma is associated with abdominal hernia. The contributing role of infection with Toxoplasma in abdominal hernia was observed mainly in subjects aged ≥ 50 years old. Our results might have clinical, prevention and treatment implications and warrant for further investigation.

Toxoplasma gondii infection and a history of surgery: A case control seroprevalence study

“…is focused predominantly in reaching the main aim rather than secondary aims. Secondly, in the present study, we studied 391 cases, whereas the number of cases was low in previous studies, i.e., 55 cases were analyzed in the study of hernia repair [16], 95 in women with a history of stillbirths [11], 23 in Yoremes [17], and 193 in people applying for medical certificates [12]. Thirdly, the research method used in the present study is more stringent for assessing an association that those used in previous studies.…”

“…In Durango City, we found a positive association between T. gondii infection and a history of surgery in psychiatric patients [10], women with a history of stillbirths [11], and people applying for medical certificates [12]. Similarly, T. gondii infection was associated with a history of hernia repair [16]. In addition, in a study of Yoremes, an ethnic group in the northwestern Mexican State of Sonora, we found that T. gondii exposure was associated with a history of cesarean sections in the women surveyed [17].…”

Stillbirth history and Toxoplasma gondii infection in women attending public health centers in a northern Mexican city

“…However, none of the women in our study had undergone surgery for transplantation. In a previous study, history of abdominal hernia repair was linked to T. gondii seropositivity, although it was not clear whether this link was due to the surgery or by muscle damage by T. gondii [ 22 ]. However, none of the women in our study had a history of abdominal hernia repair.…”

Toxoplasmosis in Mexico: Epidemiological Situation in Humans and Animals

“…However, seropositivity in patients was associated with consumption of deer, quail and lamb meat 26 . In a retrospective study, a significant association between the presence of IgG antibodies and an age ≥ 50 years was reported 8 .…”