Impact of infection with Toxoplasmosis on Serum albumin level and effect of blood transfusion in dissemination of infection in hemodialysis patients in Kirkuk city

Background: Toxoplasma gondii is a worldwide parasitic disease, with a wide range of complications in immunocompromised patients such as hemodialysis patients. This study aimed to determine the associated factors for the transmission of T. gondii among hemodialysis patients in Kirkuk city. Materials and Methods: This study was carried out on 180 individuals (130 were hemodialysis patients and 50 were healthy controls). All serum samples were tested for Toxoplasma gondii immunoglobulin (IgG and IgM) antibodies by ELISA. Results: The results of hemodialysis patients showed that the seroprevalence of anti-T. gondii IgG and IgM antibodies was higher in the age group between 30 and 60 years and there were 66.66% for both IgG and IgM antibodies, respectively, while the seroprevalence of anti-T. gondii IgG and IgM antibodies in the age group ? 60 years was 26.66% and 33.33% for both IgG and IgM antibodies, respectively. Yet, the lowest percentage was observed in the age group between 15 and 30 years and it was 6.66% for anti-T.gondii IgG without IgM (0%) in the same age group. Furthermore, a significant correlation was found between Toxoplasma gondii seropositivity and risk factors such as age and blood transfusion with P-values < 0.05. On the other hand, the level of serum albumin was reduced significantly in hemodialysis patients infected with toxoplasmosis compared to the healthy group in this study. Conclusions: Screening for Toxoplasma gondii parasites among blood donors and dialysis patients mainly by serological tests plays an essential role in preventing the transmission infection to others during blood receiving and dialysis. Additionally, the infection with T. gondii affected the level of serum albumin in hemodialysis patients positive for Toxoplasmosis.