Toxoplasma gondii seropositivity among Egyptian children with haematological malignancies

Background: Toxoplasmosis is caused by T. gondii leading to severe complications in immunocompromised patients.Objective: The present case-control study aims at determining T. gondii seroprevalence among children with haematological malignancies.Subjects and Methods: A total of 320 children were included (160 children with different types of haematological malignancies, and 160 matched controls). Anti -T. gondii IgM and IgG antibodies were assessed in sera from all participants using ELISA. Data included socio-demographic characteristics, predisposing factors for toxoplasmosis, and recorded type of haematological malignancy. Results: All the recruited children were seronegative for anti -T. gondii IgM antibodies. The seroprevalence of anti -T. gondii IgG antibody in cancer patients and controls was 62.5% and 20%, respectively. Besides, children with haematological malignancies had significantly higher levels of anti -T. gondii IgG antibody, with the highest antibody seroprevalence rate and titer detected in children with lymphoblastic lymphoma (LL) and Burkitt's lymphoma (BL), respectively. Age >= 8 years, female gender, rural residence, low socio-economic standard, blood transfusion, and toxoplasmosis in other family members were recorded as significant risk factors for toxoplasmosis.Conclusion: The high prevalence of anti -T. gondii IgG antibody in children with haematological malignancies necessitates routine screening for toxoplasmosis, to avoid development of severe and disseminated disease.