Alterations in adipokine and cytokine profiles during Toxoplasma gondii infection and their role in chronic inflammation
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii infection can modulate host immune and metabolic pathways, leading to alterations in adipokine and cytokine profiles that may contribute to persistent inflammation and the development of chronic immunological responses. This study aimed to evaluate alterations in adipokine ( leptin , adiponectin , and resistin ) and cytokine (IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-10) profiles in patients with T . gondii infection and to investigate their potential role in the development of chronic inflammatory responses associated with the infection. This case - control study investigated alterations in adipokine and cytokine profiles in patients with Toxoplasma gondii infection and their role in chronic inflammation. The study was conducted between 23 May 2025 and 11 January 2026 in diagnostic laboratories in Thi-Qar Health Directorate, Al- Habbobi Teaching Hospital, and included 120 partic i pants: 90 infected patients and 30 healthy controls matched by age and sex. Infection was confirmed using serological detection of anti- Toxoplasma IgG and IgM antibodies. Venous blood samples were collected, serum was separated, and adipokines ( leptin , adiponectin , resistin ) and cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α, IL-10) were measured using ELISA. The sociodemographic chara c teristics showed no significant differences between patients with T . gondii infection and controls in age, gender distribution, BMI, residence, or smoking status, indicating comparable baseline characteristics. Infected patients exhibited significantly hig h er leptin and resistin levels and lower adiponectin levels compared with controls. Acute infection showed higher leptin , resistin , IL-6, and TNF-α, while adiponectin and IL-10 were higher in chronic infection. Significant correlations were observed between adipokines and inflammatory cytokines. Toxoplasma gondii infection significantly alters adipokine and cytokine profiles, pr o moting a pro-inflammatory state characterized by increased leptin , resistin , IL-6, and TNF-α and reduced adiponectin . Such alterations are probably due to the activation of immunometabolic dysregulation and immune activation due to parasites and the inclusion of parasites as factors in the development of chronic inflammation.References
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