Publication Details
Abstract
Background and Objective: Toxoplasmosis, caused by the widespread zoonotic parasite Toxoplasma gondii, may represent an important opportunistic infection in patients with chronic kidney disease, particularly those undergoing hemodialysis. Renal dysfunction is associated with uremia, chronic inflammation, and immune disturbances that may increase susceptibility to infectious diseases. As hematological parameters are important indicators of the health status of patients with renal failure, this study aimed to evaluate and compare hematological parameters in renal failure patients with and without T. gondii infection and in a healthy control group. Methods: A total of 108 blood samples were analyzed, including 68 samples from patients diagnosed with renal failure and undergoing hemodialysis and 40 samples from apparently healthy volunteers serving as controls. T. gondii IgG and IgM antibodies were detected using commercial ELISA kits. Complete blood count (CBC) parameters and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were determined for all participants. Results: The seroprevalence of chronic T. gondii infection, indicated by IgG positivity, was significantly higher among renal failure patients (32.35%, 22/68) than among controls (12.5%, 5/40) (P < 0.05). Acute infection, indicated by IgM positivity, was detected in 4.41% (3/68) of renal failure patients compared with 0% of controls, with no statistically significant difference. Both T. gondii-infected and uninfected renal failure patients showed significantly lower HGB, HCT, and MCHC levels than healthy controls (P < 0.01). WBC counts were significantly lower in renal failure patients than in controls (P < 0.05), while LYM% was significantly reduced and ESR was significantly elevated (P < 0.01). MCH also differed significantly among the three groups (P < 0.05), whereas MCV, PLT, NEU%, MONO%, EOS%, and BASO% showed no significant differences. No significant differences were observed between T. gondii-infected and uninfected renal failure patients for most hematological parameters. Conclusion: Renal failure was associated with significant hematological alterations, including reduced HGB, HCT, MCHC, WBC, and LYM%, and elevated ESR. Although some parameters differed between T. gondii-infected and uninfected patients, renal dysfunction itself appeared to be the major driver of these abnormalities. Further studies are warranted to clarify the potential contribution of T. gondii infection to hematological changes in renal failure patients.