The seroprevalence of antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii among children with autism

Abstract

Objective: Although attempts have been made to explain the pathogenesis of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) with many factors such as genetic, immunological, environmental, and infectious agents, this mechanism remains for the most part unknown. Toxoplasma gondii is a parasite that is investigated in many psychiatric diseases. This work examines whether toxoplasmosis plays a role in the pathogenesis of ASD through a seroprevalence study. Method: This study is based on a comparison of 102 children with ASD and 51 healthy children. In addition to routine laboratory tests, a sociodemographic form and a childhood autism rating scale were completed and the participants’ anti-toxoplasma IgM and IgG titers were requested. Results: In 3 ASD children (2.9%) and in 1 control (2%), IgG positivity was identified. All subjects were negative for IgM. There was no statistically significant difference found between the two groups in terms of toxoplasma seropositivity. Conclusion: Our data does not confirm the involvement of toxoplasmosis in the etiopathogenesis of ASD.