Iraqi Postgraduate Medical Journal

Abstract

ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND:
Exposure to Toxoplasma gondii may result in either chronic infection or acute infection, the latter being asymptomatic or symptomatic. Toxoplasma infection stimulates humoral immune response ,in addition to cellular mediated immunity. Also cytokines have a role in resistance to T.gondii like IL-5 which has protective role during infection with the parasite.
OBJECTIVE:
This study aimed to assess the correlation between IgM and IgG Toxoplasma antibodies and IL-5 in the course of acute toxoplasmosis .
PATIENTS AND METHODS :
45women suspected of having toxoplasmosis were tested by ELISA IgM and IgG toxoplasma antibodies , and the level of serum IL-5 was tested using ELISA technique only on 32 women .
RESULTS:
The results showed that there are higher titer of IgM and IgG-Toxoplasma antibodies and higher levels of serum IL-5 in women with Toxoplasma infection .
CONCLUSION:
Serum IL-5 can be used as indicator to predict the presence of acute toxoplasmosis in pregnant women at high risk to toxoplasmosis.