Abstract

Background: The delicate interplay between host immune responses and the evasion strategies of parasites is pivotal in determining disease outcomes. Toxoplasma gondii, a widespread protozoan parasite, triggers complex immune reactions involving various cell types and cytokines. Here, we investigated the levels of two key chemokines, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and macrophage inflammatory protein-1 alpha (MIP-1α), in male patients with Toxoplasma infection compared to healthy controls. Method: We recruited 78 male subjects suspected of Toxoplasmosis, alongside 30 healthy males as controls, and collected blood samples from August 2023 to February 2024. MCP-1 and MIP-1α concentrations were measured using ELISA kits. Results: Our findings revealed a significant increase in serum MCP-1 levels among Toxoplasma-infected patients compared to healthy controls (p < 0.001). Additionally, a positive correlation between MCP-1 and MIP-1 was observed. Specifically, serum levels of MIP-1 positively and significantly correlated with MCP-1 levels in patients with chronic Toxoplasmosis (R2 = 0.0147). The mean concentration of MCP-1 was markedly higher in patients with Toxoplasmosis (41.08 ± 6.410 pg/ml) compared to the control group (27.73 ± 1.124 pg/ml) (p < 0.001). Similarly, the mean concentration of MIP-1α was elevated in Toxoplasma-infected individuals (12.06 ± 2.122 pg/ml) compared to healthy controls (6.971 ± 0.4809 pg/ml). Conclusion: These findings highlight the role of MCP-1 and MIP-1α in the immune response to Toxoplasma infection and suggest their potential as biomarkers for disease monitoring. Understanding the dynamics of these chemokines may aid in the development of targeted interventions and therapeutic strategies for Toxoplasmosis.

Keywords: Toxoplasmosis, MCP-1, MIP-1α, Immune response, Chemokines