Epilepsy and seropositivity rates of Toxocara canis and Toxoplasma gondii

Abstract

Purpose: Increased seropositivity for Toxoplasma gondii and Toxocara canis have been observed in epileptic patients. Our aim is to determine whether there is any relationship between these agents and epilepsy in our cryptogenic epilepsy group.

Material and methods: We studied specific IgG antibodies against T. gondii and T. canis in 100 cryptogenic epileptic patients and 50 healthy volunteers that had no history of epilepsy in their first degree relatives. We studied T. gondii and T. canis-specific IgG antibody serum levels and compared the values of these two groups.

Result: We found similar T. gondii and T. canis serum IgG antibodies in patients with cryptogenic epilepsy and in the control group, even though the control group included more animal owners.

Conclusion: We did not show any relationships between epilepsy and positive T. gondii and T. canis serology in our epileptic patients.