The occurrence of microsporidial infections and toxoplasmosis in Slovak women.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence of antibodies to intracellular pathogens (Toxoplasma gondii, Encephalitozoon cuniculi, and Encephalitozoon intestinalis) in sera of Slovak women.


METHODS
Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used for the detection of specific IgG antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii, Encephalitozoon cuniculi, and Encephalitozoon intestinalis in 118 sera samples from Slovak women with different diagnoses.


RESULTS
Women were divided into three groups based on the age. In group 1 (n = 26, age > 51), nine women tested positive for T. gondii, two for E. cuniculi, and one for E. intestinalis. The respective numbers in group 2 (n = 53, age range 36-50) were 18, three, and seven, and in group 3 (n = 39, age range 20-35) 13, two, and four. In an attempt to find the relationship between the clinical diagnosis and the prevalence of the three pathogens, we divided the study subjects into four groups based on the condition (diseases of the nervous, respiratory, and immune systems and pregnancy). A statistically significant relationship between the diagnosis and the prevalence of a pathogen was found (p < 0.001). In women with diseases of the respiratory system, antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii were most often detected, while infection with E. intestinalis was most commonly associated with nervous system diseases and the highest seroprevalence of E. cuniculi was found in women diagnosed with immune system disorders.


CONCLUSIONS
In our study, the seroprevalence rates of the three infections in pregnant women were similar, showing no significant difference. Women with diseases of the respiratory system were most often seropositive for T. gondii. Our result is consistent with the known fact that in humans, toxoplasmosis may affect various organs of the body, causing diverse clinical signs. However, the respiratory system is commonly involved and pneumonia may result. The most common finding is a mild, flu-like illness that lasts a few days. The women with different types of immunodeficiency disorders had the highest seropositivity rates for E. cuniculi and the second most common infection in this group was toxoplasmosis. Both of these parasites are opportunistic and can cause serious problems in immunocompromised individuals (HIV-positives, organ transplant recipients, chemotherapy patients). The women diagnosed with the nervous system disorders were most commonly infected with E. intestinalis. The relationship between the disease and this pathogen is not clear, but E. intestinalis is responsible for various pathologies; it causes mainly disseminated infections and damage to the digestive tract. E. intestinalis is a parasite very close to E. cuniculi affecting either the nervous system or the respiratory tract depending on the type of host.
Institute of Biology, Zoology and Radiobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy, Kosice, Slovenská republika. luptakova@uvlf.sk
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Luptáková
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Petrovová
D000328:Adult; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000097:blood*; D016819:Encephalitozoon / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D016890:Encephalitozoonosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D018154:Slovakia / Q000453:epidemiology; D014122:Toxoplasma / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D014123:Toxoplasmosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D055815:Young Adult
D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan