The Role of Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines IL-12 and TNF-α Against Toxoplasmosis among Aborted Women

Abstract
T \r\nOXOPLASMA gondii is an opportunistic intracellular protozoan parasite which causes \r\ntoxoplasmosis by using its surface proteins that evade the immune system of the host, leading to \r\nrestricted immune signaling routes. This alteration has various influences on infected individuals, \r\nspecifically pregnant women, which leads to repeated abortion. The aim of this study was to examine \r\nthe correlation between systemic inflammatory biomarkers and abortion. Serum samples were \r\ncollected from 224 aborted women and screened for anti-T. gondii immunoglobulin G and M (IgG, \r\nIgM) followed by quantification of Interleukin 12 (IL-12) and Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α) \r\nlevels using Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) and some inflammatory tests such as C \r\nReactive protein (CRP) and Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR). The total seropositivity was 25%, \r\nwhich involved 19.6% IgG and 5.4% IgM antibodies with a highly significant (P<0.001) difference. \r\nFurthermore, significant differences (P<0.002) are only present regarding IgG test with the number of \r\nabortions. Besides, the ESR test showed significant differences (P=0.006, P<0.001) with anti\r\nToxoplasma IgG and IgM antibodies. While, for the CRP test, highly significant (<0.001) differences \r\nwere observed for IgG Abs only. Moreover, higher mean concentrations of IL-12 and TNF-α were \r\nobserved, which were (19.10±2.80, 7.92±0.45 pg/mL) and (99.13±17.62, 62.00±39.54 pg/mL), \r\nrespectively, among seropositive patients in comparison to the control group, and the difference was \r\nstatistically significant(P<0.001) for IL-12 only. The study concluded that T. gondii significantly \r\nboosted the cellular immune response. In addition, it highlights the importance of routine screening \r\nfor anti-Toxoplasma antibodies prior to marriage, early immunological screening for pregnant females \r\nwho are at high risk and raising public awareness about toxoplasmosis and its reproductive \r\nconsequences through media campaigns and educational programs suggested.

Author
Wijdan M. S. Mero

DOI
https://doi.org/10.21608/ejvs.2025.381738.2824

ISSN

Publish Date: 12-Jul-2025