Toxoplasma gondii infection and abdominal hernia: evidence of a new association

The seroprevalence of anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibodies and IgG titers was significantly higher in subjects with abdominal hernia repair than those without hernia. There was a tendency for subjects with hernia repair to have a higher seroprevalence of anti-Toxoplasma IgM antibodies than subjects without hernia. The seroprevalence of anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibodies in subjects with hernia repair was significantly higher in subjects ≥ 50 years old than those < 50 years old. Further analysis in subjects aged ≥ 50 years showed that the seroprevalence of anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibodies was also significantly higher in individuals with hernia repair than those without hernia (OR = 2.72; 95% CI: 1.10-6.57). Matching by age and sex further showed that the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma infection was significantly higher in patients with hernia repair than those without hernia (OR: 4.50; 95% CI: 1.22-17.33).Results indicate that infection with Toxoplasma is associated with abdominal hernia. The contributing role of infection with Toxoplasma in abdominal hernia was observed mainly in subjects aged ≥ 50 years old. Our results might have clinical, prevention and treatment implications and warrant for further investigation.The protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is widely distributed around the world [1,2]. Human infections with T. gondii occur by ingesting food or water that is contaminated with oocysts shed by cats or by eating undercooked or raw meat containing tissue cysts [2-4]. Infections with T. gondii may result in an asymptomatic state or lead to disease. The parasite disseminates within the host's body and may affect lymph nodes, eyes, central nervous system, and other tissues [3,5-9]. In addition, primary infection during pregnancy may lead to severe damage to the fetus [2,3]. We have explored the seroprevalence of and risk factors for T. gondii infection in some healthy [10-12] and ill [13-16] populations in Durango, Mexico. In a recent study in liver disease p