PURPOSE: Cryptogenic epilepsy, the group of epilepsy syndromes for which an etiology is unknown, comprises approximately 20% of all epilepsy syndromes. We selected patients in this subgroup of epilepsy and tested them for evidence of Toxoplasma gondii IgG antibodies by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. T. gondii is found in up to 20% of the U.S. population forming dormant brain cysts in the latent bradyzoite form. We investigated the hypothesis that dormant T. gondii infection might be associated with cryptogenic epilepsy. METHODS: We selected patients with cryptogenic epilepsies and tested them for evidence of T. gondii IgG antibodies by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. A control group was also tested for comparison. RESULTS: We have found a statistically-significant elevation of T. gondii antibodies among cryptogenic epilepsy patients as compared to controls [59% increase in optical density (OD), p = 0.013]. This association persisted after adjustment for subjects' gender and age in a multiple logistic regression model; however, it was no longer as statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that chronic T. gondii infection with brain cysts may be a cause of cryptogenic epilepsy.
PURPOSE: Cryptogenic epilepsy, the group of epilepsy syndromes for which an etiology is unknown, comprises approximately 20% of all epilepsy syndromes. We selected patients in this subgroup of epilepsy and tested them for evidence of Toxoplasma gondii IgG antibodies by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. T. gondii is found in up to 20% of the U.S. population forming dormant brain cysts in the latent bradyzoite form. We investigated the hypothesis that dormant T. gondii infection might be associated with cryptogenic epilepsy. METHODS: We selected patients with cryptogenic epilepsies and tested them for evidence of T. gondii IgG antibodies by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. A control group was also tested for comparison. RESULTS: We have found a statistically-significant elevation of T. gondii antibodies among cryptogenic epilepsypatients as compared to controls [59% increase in optical density (OD), p = 0.013]. This association persisted after adjustment for subjects' gender and age in a multiple logistic regression model; however, it was no longer as statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that chronic T. gondii infection with brain cysts may be a cause of cryptogenic epilepsy.
Authors: William J Sullivan; M Alexandra Monroy; Wolfgang Bohne; Karuna C Nallani; John Chrivia; Peter Yaciuk; Charles K Smith; Sherry F Queener Journal: Parasitol Res Date: 2003-01-28 Impact factor: 2.289
Authors: Joseph Prandota; Anna Gryglas; Aleksander Fuglewicz; Agata Zesławska-Faleńczyk; Barbara Ujma-Czapska; Leszek Szenborn; Janusz Mierzwa Journal: World J Clin Pediatr Date: 2014-08-08