Patients with cardiac diseases were found to be at a higher risk for toxoplasmosis compared to healthy individuals, with significant correlations between anti-Toxoplasma gondii IgG seropositivity and history of myocardial infarction, coronary angiography, and stenting.
Key Findings
Results
Anti-Toxoplasma gondii IgG seropositivity was significantly higher in cardiac patients than in healthy controls.
Anti-T. gondii IgG was detected in 41.2% of the patient group compared to 29.3% of the control group.
The study included 170 patients followed in the cardiology department and 167 individuals without any disease not receiving immunosuppressive treatment.
Statistical analysis showed a significant correlation between anti-T. gondii IgG seropositivity in the patient and control groups.
Detection method was enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) measuring IgG levels.
Results
Toxoplasma gondii seropositivity was highest among cardiac patients with a history of myocardial infarction.
Anti-T. gondii IgG was detected in 65.7% of those with a history of myocardial infarction (MI).
The relationship between MI history and toxoplasmosis seropositivity was statistically significant (p = 0.001).
This represented the highest seropositivity rate among the cardiac subgroups examined.
Results
Toxoplasma gondii seropositivity was significantly associated with history of coronary angiography in cardiac patients.
Anti-T. gondii IgG was detected in 49.4% of those who had undergone coronary angiography.
The relationship between coronary angiography history and toxoplasmosis seropositivity was statistically significant (p = 0.016).
Results
Toxoplasma gondii seropositivity was significantly associated with history of coronary stenting in cardiac patients.
Anti-T. gondii IgG was detected in 48.6% of those who had undergone stenting.
The relationship between stenting history and toxoplasmosis seropositivity was statistically significant (p = 0.014).
Conclusions
The authors recommend regular monitoring of cardiac disease patients for toxoplasmosis given the risk of latent infection reactivation.
The recommendation is based on the finding that cardiac patients are at higher risk for toxoplasmosis compared to healthy individuals.
The authors note that latent infection may be reactivated in case of immune system failure.
Regular interval monitoring and necessary precautions are advised for individuals with cardiac diseases.
What This Means
This research suggests that people with heart disease may be more likely to have been infected with Toxoplasma gondii — the parasite that causes toxoplasmosis — compared to people without heart disease. In this study, about 41% of heart patients tested positive for past Toxoplasma infection, compared to about 29% of healthy individuals. Among heart patients, those who had experienced a heart attack showed the highest rate of prior Toxoplasma infection (nearly 66%), and significant associations were also found in patients who had undergone coronary angiography or stent procedures.
Toxoplasmosis is a common parasitic infection often acquired through contact with cat feces or consumption of undercooked meat. While most healthy people experience no symptoms, the parasite can remain dormant in the body for life. This study raises the possibility that Toxoplasma infection may be linked to cardiac conditions, though the study design (comparing seropositivity rates between groups) cannot establish whether the infection caused the heart disease or vice versa.
This research suggests that clinicians caring for cardiac patients should be aware of the potential presence of latent Toxoplasma infection, particularly because a weakened immune system — which can accompany serious illness or treatment — might allow a dormant infection to reactivate. The authors recommend that cardiac patients be regularly monitored for toxoplasmosis and that preventive measures be considered. Further research would be needed to clarify the nature and direction of the relationship between Toxoplasma infection and heart disease.
Yürektürk &, Ceylan Y, Ekici A, Yenitürk Baydar C, Aydemir S, Sarğın G. (2026). Investigation of Toxoplasma gondii seroprevalence in patients with cardiac diseases.. Journal of infection in developing countries. https://doi.org/10.3855/jidc.21626