Abstract
INTRODUCTION: The parasite Toxoplasma gondii is the source of toxoplasmosis. This infection can spread from mother to fetus during pregnancy, through contaminated food or water, or contact with infected cat feces. This study aims to investigate whether chronic toxoplasmosis is associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in women. METHODS: A total of 274 samples were collected from women of reproductive age (18-55 years) as they were relevant for both chronic toxoplasmosis and T2DM. Serological testing was performed to detect the presence of T. gondii antibodies (IgM and IgG) to assess chronic infection, and fasting plasma glucose and HbA1c levels were measured for T2DM diagnosis. RESULTS: Among the participants, 46 (16.8%) were seropositive for chronic toxoplasmosis, and 68 (24.8%) were diagnosed with T2DM. Statistical analysis revealed that women with chronic toxoplasmosis were 2.3 times more likely to have T2DM compared to women without toxoplasmosis (OR = 2.289, CI: 1.171-4.473, p-value < 0.05). The study also found a significant association between education level and T2DM, with educated women being at lower risk of having T2DM (p-value < 0.05). CONCLUSION: This study highlights a statistically significant association between chronic toxoplasmosis and T2DM. Women who were seropositive for chronic toxoplasmosis were more likely to have T2DM compared to seronegative individuals. These findings contribute to the growing body of evidence suggesting a potential link between chronic infections and metabolic disorders. Further research is needed to establish causation, elucidate underlying mechanisms, and explore potential interventions to mitigate the risk of T2DM in individuals with chronic toxoplasmosis.