Browsing by Author "Kurkcu, Muhammed Furkan"

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Prevalence of Toxoplasma Gondii in Patients with Schizophrenia and Its Association with Clinical Symptoms
(Pergamon-Elsevier Science Ltd, 2025) Kurkcu, Muhammed Furkan; Korkut, Gizem; Varli, Mehmet Ridvan; Yilmaz, Gulsum; Usluca, Selma; Bakir, Ayfer
Background: Schizophrenia is a multifactorial neuropsychiatric disorder influenced by both genetic predisposition and environmental factors. Recent evidence suggests a possible link between latent Toxoplasma gondii infection and schizophrenia, though the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Objective: To compare the seroprevalence of T. gondii in patients with schizophrenia and healthy individuals, and to evaluate the relationship between seropositivity and clinical parameters. Methods: A total of 265 participants (155 schizophrenia patients and 110 healthy controls) were enrolled. IgG and IgM antibodies were detected using electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA), avidity was assessed using ELISA, and DNA presence was tested with real-time PCR. Clinical symptoms were evaluated using the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS). Statistical analysis included logistic regression and non-parametric tests (p < 0.05). Results: T. gondii IgG seropositivity was significantly higher in schizophrenia patients (29 %) than in controls (18.2 %) (p = 0.044, OR = 1.84; 95 % CI: 1.01-3.34). IgM positivity and DNA detection did not differ significantly. All seropositive participants showed high IgG avidity, indicating latent infection. BPRS scores and illness duration were higher in IgG-positive individuals, but the differences were not significant. Conclusion: Latent T. gondii infection may be associated with schizophrenia. However, further multicenter studies integrating molecular and serological approaches are needed to clarify its role in disease pathogenesis.
Toxoplasma gondii Coinfection in HIV-Positive Patients at a Tertiary Care Hospital
(Bentham Science Publ Ltd, 2025) Kurkcu, Muhammed Furkan; Bakir, Ayfer; Kaba, Semiha Berra Topsakal; Kusabbi, Ilknur Alkan; Usluca, Selma
Introduction: Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) can cause serious complications in both immunocompetent and immunosuppressed individuals. This study aims to assess the seroprevalence of T. gondii among HIV-positive individuals and to investigate its association with age, sex, CD4+ T cell count, HIV RNA levels, and hematological parameters. Methods: This study included 247 HIV-positive individuals followed up at a tertiary care hospital between November 1, 2022, and November 30, 2024. We analyzed serum samples for T. gondii IgG antibodies using electrochemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay. Results: The prevalence of T. gondii IgG seropositivity was found to be 32.8% (n=81; 95% CI: 26.9-39). The median age of seropositive individuals was 52 years (IQR: 42-61), which was significantly higher compared to seronegative individuals (p<0.001). The highest IgG seropositivity rate (66.7%) was observed in the 61-80 age group. Hemoglobin levels were significantly lower in IgG seropositive individuals (p=0.040). Logistic regression analysis indicated an increased risk of T. gondii infection with advancing age. The odds ratio for the 41-60 age group was 13.3 (95% CI: 1.6-106, p=0.02), while for the 61-80 age group, it was 28 (95% CI: 3.3-240, p=0.002). Discussion: The seroprevalence of T. gondii in HIV-positive individuals was lower than both global and regional averages. Age was identified as an independent risk factor for T. gondii seropositivity. Additionally, hematological alterations associated with anemia were observed in seropositive individuals. Further large-scale, multi-center, and regionally representative studies are required to optimize T. gondii infection management and screening strategies in people living with HIV. Conclusion: These findings suggest that T. gondii infection in HIV-positive individuals increases with age and may be associated with anemia, highlighting the need for age-focused screening and management strategies.