The Oxidative Stress and Platelet Activation in Patients Infected with Toxoplasma gondii

Abstract

Background: Toxoplasma gondii is a highly frequent obligate intracellular protozoan parasite; it can cause serious problems to the public health especially pregnant females, however, the pathogenesis of this condition is not clear. Objective: was to evaluate the status and the interrelationship of the oxidative stress and platelet activation in patients infected with T. gondii. Methods: Thirty patients infected with T.gondii (10 acute and 20 chronic cases) and 10 healthy subjects (control group) were included in this study. Serum levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), total glutathione (t GSH), reduced glutathione (GSH), oxidized glutathione (GSSG), redox potential (RP) and soluble P-selectin (sPselectin) were measured. EDITA blood samples were used for complete blood picture with special emphasis on platelet count and mean platelet volume (MPV). Results: The mean platelet volume (MPV) in patients was significantly higher than the control group, however, platelet count showed no significant difference. The serum mean values of MDA, GSSG, RP and sP-selectin in patients were significantly higher than the control subjects. On the other hand, the levels of tGSH and GSHin patients were significantly lower than in controls. MPV and platelet count showed significant positive correlations with sP-selectin concentration. Conclusion: Although toxoplasmosis is mostly asymptomatic, the findings of the present study strongly indicate that the occurrence of oxidative stress could be a potential mechanism of subclinical inflammatory pathology and tissue damage in these cases.