Alhan Jassim Hammash
Biology Department, College of Education for Women, Tikrit university, Iraq
Ashraf Jamal Mahmoud Zangana
Biology Department, College of Education for Women, Tikrit university, Iraq
ABSTRACT
This study investigated the role of Toxocara spp. infection as a potential risk factor for developing rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in individuals from Doluya District, Saladin Governorate, Iraq, over the period of October 2022 to September 2023. Serum samples from 215 males and females, aged 5–58 years, were analyzed using Toxocara IgG ELISA. The prevalence of Toxocara spp. infection among the tested population was 19%, with notable differences observed based on age, gender, and pet ownership. The highest infection rate in females was recorded in the 5–15 age group (27.27%), while in males, the same age group showed a significantly higher prevalence of 42.85%. Pet ownership was identified as a major risk factor, with infection rates of 26.82% in those exposed to pets compared to 13.55% in non-owners. RA IgG levels were measured in infected and control groups to assess the potential link between Toxocara infection and rheumatoid arthritis. The mean RA IgG concentration in infected individuals was significantly elevated (0.6740 ± 0.3220) compared to the control group (0.2167 ± 0.0727), with a statistically significant difference (p < 0.01). These findings suggest that Toxocara spp. infection may play a contributory role in the development of rheumatoid arthritis, particularly in vulnerable populations with high exposure to infection risk factors such as pet ownership.
Keywords: Toxocariasis, Toxocara, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Spread of Toxocariasis.
