Toxoplasmosis as a complication of transfusion in hemodialysis patients

BACKGROUND: Toxoplasma Gondi is an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite that is one of the most important protozoa of blood and tissue. The medical importance of this parasite is considered from two aspects of congenital defects and opportunities among those with congenital immune deficiency. Depending on the mode of transmission through blood and the risk of infection to Toxoplasma Gondi in hemodialysis patients, this serological study was conducted on Iranian population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This case-control study was conducted on 37 patients that underwent regular hemodialysis that 21 were male and 16 were female, and the mean age of them was 17.52±4.10 years (rages 13-22 years). Thirty-seven healthy individuals were chosen as control group. All samples were tested by using of ELISA kits with two methods of IgG-ELISA and IgM-ELISA. Finally obtained data was analysis by SPSS software. RESULTS: The results of this study revealed high prevalence of toxoplasmosis among hemodialysis patients. Other findings indicate that 21 out of 37 patients in the case group were positive for anti-Toxoplasma Gondi IgG in case group while in control group just 11 individuals were positive that was a statistically significant difference(p <0.05 ). CONCLUSION: because of the high prevalence of toxoplasmosis among hemodialysis patients, identification of these patients for prevention of transfusion complications is important.