Status of Toxoplasma gondii infection in the etiology of epilepsy

Detection of antibodies to Toxoplasma in sera from patients suffering from recurrent unprovoked seizures were performed using “in-house” indirect hemagglutination assay and by commercially available anti- Toxoplasma immunoglobulin G and immunoglobulin M enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Serum antibody to toxoplasmosis were detected in 12.3% and 15.3% by indirect hemagglutination assay and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays and respectively. Controls showed seropositivity of 5.7% for antibody to Toxoplasma using the same methods. Seropositivity was higher in children compared to adults. No gender differences were noted. Individuals with rural background (living in a relatively unhygienic conditions) were more commonly affected compared to people living in urban areas. (J Pediatr Neurol 2003; 1(2): 95-98)