Toxoplasma gondii Infection and Mixed Anxiety and Depressive Disorder: A Case-Control Seroprevalence Study in Durango, Mexico.
BACKGROUND
The parasite Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) may invade the brain and might induce behavioral changes. We sought to determine the association of T. gondii infection and mixed anxiety and depressive disorder.


METHODS
Through an age- and gender-matched case-control seroprevalence study, we examined 65 patients suffering from mixed anxiety and depressive disorder (WHO ICD-10 code: F41.2) attending in a public hospital of mental health and 260 control subjects without this disorder from the general population. Sera of participants were analyzed for anti-Toxoplasma IgG and IgM antibodies using enzyme-linked immunoassays.


RESULTS
Fifteen (23.1%) of the 65 patients and 18 (6.9%) of the 260 controls had anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies (odds ratio (OR): 4.03; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.90 - 8.53; P < 0.001). The frequency of high (> 150 IU/mL) anti-T. gondii IgG levels was similar in cases and controls (OR: 0.25; 95% CI: 0.05 - 1.06; P = 0.05). Seroprevalence was similar in male cases and controls (P = 1.0); however, seroprevalence was significantly higher in female cases than in female controls (OR: 7.08; 95% CI: 2.83 - 17.67; P < 0.00001). Patients aged 31 - 50 years old had a significantly higher seroprevalence of T. gondii infection than controls of the same age group (OR: 21.04; 95% CI: 5.22 - 84.80; P < 0.00001). Anti-T. gondii IgM antibodies were found in four (26.7%) of the 15 anti-T. gondii IgG seropositive cases and in 10 (55.6%) of the 18 anti-T. gondii IgG seropositive controls (P = 0.15).


CONCLUSIONS
Results support for the first time an association between seropositivity to T. gondii and mixed anxiety and depressive disorder. Further research to confirm this association and to determine the seroepidemiology of T. gondii infection in patients with this disorder is needed.
Faculty of Medicine and Nutrition, Juarez University of Durango State, Avenida Universidad S/N, 34000 Durango, Durango, Mexico.
Cosme
C
Alvarado-Esquivel
Institute for Scientific Research "Dr. Roberto Rivera Damm", Juarez University of Durango State, Avenida Universidad S/N, 34000 Durango, Durango, Mexico.
Luis Francisco
LF
Sanchez-Anguiano
Institute for Scientific Research "Dr. Roberto Rivera Damm", Juarez University of Durango State, Avenida Universidad S/N, 34000 Durango, Durango, Mexico.
Jesus
J
Hernandez-Tinoco
Faculty of Medicine and Nutrition, Juarez University of Durango State, Avenida Universidad S/N, 34000 Durango, Durango, Mexico.
Luis Omar
LO
Berumen-Segovia
Facultad de Enfermeria y Obstetricia, Juarez University of Durango State, Cuauhtemoc 223 Norte, 34000 Durango, Mexico.
Yazmin Elizabeth
YE
Torres-Prieto
Institute for Scientific Research "Dr. Roberto Rivera Damm", Juarez University of Durango State, Avenida Universidad S/N, 34000 Durango, Durango, Mexico.
Sergio
S
Estrada-Martinez
Institute for Scientific Research "Dr. Roberto Rivera Damm", Juarez University of Durango State, Avenida Universidad S/N, 34000 Durango, Durango, Mexico.
Alma Rosa
AR
Perez-Alamos
Hospital of Mental Health "Dr. Miguel Vallebueno", Servicios de Salud de Durango, Durango, Mexico.
Maria Nalleli
MN
Ortiz-Jurado
Hospital of Mental Health "Dr. Miguel Vallebueno", Servicios de Salud de Durango, Durango, Mexico.
Gabriel
G
Molotla-de-Leon
Facultad de Enfermeria y Obstetricia, Juarez University of Durango State, Cuauhtemoc 223 Norte, 34000 Durango, Mexico.
Isabel
I
Beristain Garcia
Faculty of Medicine and Nutrition, Juarez University of Durango State, Avenida Universidad S/N, 34000 Durango, Durango, Mexico; General Hospital, Secretary of Health, Avenida 5 de febrero 220, 34000 Durango, Mexico.
Elizabeth
E
Rabago-Sanchez
Institute for Microbiology and Hygiene, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Charite Medical School, Hindenburgdamm 27, D-12203 Berlin, Germany; Current address: Roche Molecular Systems, Pleasanton, CA 94588, USA.
Oliver
O
Liesenfeld
Case-control; Mixed anxiety and depressive; Psychiatric patients; Seroprevalence; Toxoplasma gondii