Toxoplasmosis Frequency Rate in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients in Northeastern Iran

Abstract

Background: Toxoplasmosis is a zoonotic disease caused by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii, a cosmopolitan intracellular parasite. It can be a risk factor for autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This study was designed to investigate the possible association between serological history of T. gondii infection and defined clinical manifestation of RA in Northeast of Iran.
 Methods: Overall, serum samples were collected from 50 RA patients and 40 healthy controls, from Qaem Hospital in Mashhad City, northeastern Iran in 2018. Seroprevalence of T. gondii infection was determined by ELISA.
 Results: The prevalence of anti -T. gondii IgG in RA patients 48% (24.50) was significantly higher than the control group 10% (4.40) (P <0.001). Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) and (rheumatoid factor) RF levels between the RA and control groups (P <0.01). Control group were matched with patients for age, gender and living area.
 Conclusion: Given that a high correlation has been demonstrated between positivity rate of anti-T. gondii IgG and RA in Northeastern Iran, further studies will be necessary to clarify the pathogenesis of T. gondii among these patients

Plasma Cholinesterase Activity in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis and Toxoplasmosis

“…This finding is consistent with the findings of a meta-analysis in which the percentage of toxoplasmosis positivity in RA patients was 46% vs. 21% among controls [ 12 ]. Another reported a value of 48% in RA patients vs. 10% in controls [ 11 ]. The pathogenesis of toxoplasmosis in exacerbating the conditions of RA patients is still obscure; however, this zoonotic disease is opportunistic in nature and causes infection in immunocompromised patients, as is the case with RA [ 12 , 13 ].…”

“…The susceptibility to toxoplasmosis is especially high in immunocompromised patients [8][9][10]. Being a risk factor, toxoplasmosis is identified as an increased positivity rate of anti-T. gondii IgG, which is found to be highly associated with RA in patients, with the possibility of exacerbating the latter condition [11][12][13]. Due to the immunepathogenic nature of RA and the possible complications in terms of its association with toxoplasmosis, activation of inflammatory/anti-inflammatory responses might occur, such as the production of cytokines (interleukin-12 and interferon-gamma) as well as reactive nitrogen and oxygen species [12,14].…”

Association between disease‐modifying antirheumatic drugs and bone turnover biomarkers

“…There is communication between these cells, which allows them to coordinately pair their activities and guarantee that osteoclast‐generated resorption lacunae are filled with new bone formed by osteoblasts. This is necessary in order to keep bone homeostasis during the process of bone remodeling 4–6 . Numerous pharmacological and targeted treatments have been researched in patients with RA, and a growing number of them have been given the go‐ahead for use in clinical settings.…”

“…This is necessary in order to keep bone homeostasis during the process of bone remodeling. [4][5][6] Numerous pharmacological and targeted treatments have been researched in patients with RA, and a growing number of them have been given the go-ahead for use in clinical settings. Recent research has looked at their impacts on bone mineral density (BMD) and bone metabolism, both of which may have an influence on clinical symptoms and the overall quality of life of RA patients.Because structural damages play a vital role in diagnostic processes, the diagnosis of bone erosions in RA is important.…”