A systematic review and meta-analysis of the prevalence of toxoplasmosis in hemodialysis patients in Iran

• Published in: Epidemiology and health Vol. 40; p. e2018016
• Main Authors: Foroutan, Masoud, Rostami, Ali, Majidiani, Hamidreza, Riahi, Seyed Mohammad, Khazaei, Sasan, Badri, Milad, Yousefi, Elham
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Korea (South) Korean Society of Epidemiology 23.04.2018; 한국역학회
• Subjects: Hemodialysis patients; Iran; Review; Seroprevalence; 예방의학; Toxoplasma gondii; Iran; Hemodialysis patients; Seroprevalence
• ISSN: 2092-7193; 2092-7193
• DOI: 10.4178/epih.e2018016

Toxoplasmosis is a worldwide distributed parasitic disease with wide range of complications in immunocompromised patients. This systematic review and meta-analysis study was performed to evaluate the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) among patients undergoing hemodialysis patients in Iran. We searched the English and Persian databases for studies reporting T. gondii seroprevalence in Iranian hemodialysis patients up to 31 December 2017. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied. A total of 10 studies containing 1865 participants (1048 patients and 817 controls) met the eligibility criteria. T. gondii antibodies were reported in 58% (95% CI, 46-70) vs. 40% (95% CI, 31-50) and 2% (95% CI, 0-6) vs. 0.0% (95% CI, 0-1) for the IgG and IgM among hemodialysis patients and healthy controls, respectively. Based on meta-analysis. hemodialysis patients were significantly more likely to be seropositive for IgG- (OR = 2.04; 95% CI = 1.54-2.7; P < 0.001) and IgM- (OR = 2.53; 95% CI = 1.23-5.22; P < 0.001) antibodies against T. gondii infection compared to healthy individuals. The current study revealed a high prevalence of T. gondii infection in hemodialysis patients. Since hemodialysis patients are immunocompromised and T. gondii can cause serious clinical complications, we recommend that T. gondii infection screening and periodic repetition should be incorporated into the routine clinical care of these patients.