Relationship Between Mental Disorder and Chronic Toxoplasmosis in Iranian Soldiers

Toxoplasmosis, with worldwide distribution, may have tissue cyst in a different organ such the brain. The mental disorder associated with toxoplasmosis among soldiers has been poorly studied.

The purpose of this study was to investigate mental disorders among soldiers with chronic toxoplasmosis.

A total of 239 soldier’s blood samples from one of the garrison in Tehran, Iran, were collected and sera were detected for IgG against T. gondii using the ELISA technique.

Of all examined, sera 69 (28.87%) were positive, who were interpreted as the chronic toxoplasmosis. There was no significant association between mental disorders and chronic toxoplasmosis. The positive chronic toxoplasmosis was significantly higher in the consumption of unpasteurized milk, undercooked meat, and juicy and soil-related occupations.

It seems that the immune system may control the parasite completely and prevalence of chronic toxoplasmosis was high in the region.