seroprevalence and associated risk factors of latent toxoplasmosis in psychiatric patients in qazvin province

Background and objectives :toxoplasma gondii is a neurotropic protozoan parasite that has been associated with several psychiatric disorders. although psychiatric patients are considered a high-risk group for latent toxoplasmosis, limited data are available from iran, particularly qazvin province. methods :a cross-sectional, hospital-based study was conducted on 179 psychiatric patients referred to 22 bahman psychiatric hospital in qazvin province from december 2023 to november 2024. serum samples were analyzed for anti-t. gondii immunoglobulin g (igg) antibodies using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (elisa). demographic, clinical, and behavioral data were collected via structured questionnaires, and associations with seropositivity were statistically analyzed. results :overall, 42.5% of participants tested positive for anti-t. gondii igg antibodies. a significant association was observed between seropositivity and sex, with higher prevalence among females (p = 0.040), and between seropositivity and region of residence (p = 0.009). no significant associations were found with psychiatric diagnosis, animal contact, raw meat/egg consumption, or history of substance abuse. conclusions :this study highlights a relatively high seroprevalence of latent toxoplasmosis among psychiatric patients in qazvin province, particularly among females and those residing in specific urban areas. although no direct link was established between infection and psychiatric subtypes, these findings underscore the need for further investigation using longitudinal or case-control designs to explore causal relationships and inform preventive measures.