Changes Of Total Content Of Zinc And Magnesium In Patients With Chronic Toxoplasmosis

Abstract

Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite found in many animal species throughout the world. The parasite was named Toxoplasma (arclike form) gondii (after the rodent). Toxoplasma was recognized as causing a variety of clinical syndromes in humans (Ruth and Nicolas, 1997 ). T. gondii is a coccidium ,with domestic cats and other felids as its definitive host and a wide range of birds and mammals as intermediate hosts . The heteroxenous nature of the parasite , its ability to infect any warm­ blooded creature , the territorial range of its hosts and the production of tissue cysts that can survive for many years have contributed to the worldwide distribution of the infection . About one billion people throught world are infected and has been found in virtually every country of the world If the host is immunocompetent the parasite encysts and can persist for a lifetime in the tissues. If the host becomes immunocompromised the cysts can release bradyzoites and Toxoplasma becomes an opportunistic agent. All immunocompromising conditions, such as malignancies and their treatment, lupus erythematosus, and especially acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) must be considered. In transplantations an infected organ such as the heart can cause toxoplasmosis in a seronegative recipient (mismatched patients) (Deorari eta/., 2000).

Vital exchanges constantly occur involving many enzymatic systems activated by minerals or elements. All activities of human tissues and organs depend on minute mineral and element concentrations that act as an enzyme biocatalyst. Zinc (Zn) is an important trace metal in all living organisms and in all tissues (Leonard et a/., 1986). It is an essential trace element for