interleukin activity in miscarried women with toxoplasmosis and anti thyroid peroxidase (anti-tpo)

Background: we aimed to investigate the presence of thyroid peroxidase antibodies (anti-tpo) in women with spontaneous abortion, both with and without toxoplasmosis. this was achieved by evaluating and comparing the serum levels of interleukins il-4, il-6, il-10, il-17, and tnf-α in women who experienced abortion due to toxoplasmosis, categorized by positive and negative anti-tpo status, with those who were toxoplasmosis-negative and also negative for anti-tpo.methods: we evaluated the serological presence of igg and igm antibodies to toxoplasma using an elisa method, in samarra city, salah al-din governorate, iraq in 2021-2022. a sample of 153 women with spontaneous abortion were enrolled. we also measured the serum levels of interleukins il-4, il-6, il-10, il-17, tnf-α, and anti-tpo using the same technique.results: overall, 103 were toxoplasma-positive. of these, 14 had positive anti-tpo results (13.5%), compared to only 3 positive cases among the 50 matched controls who were toxoplasma-negative (6.0%). the difference between toxoplasma-positive and toxoplasma-negative women regarding anti-tpo status was statistically significant for interleukins il-4 (p=0.010), il-6 (p=0.017), and il-10 (p=0.003), but not for il-17 or tnf-α. additionally, the statistical analysis revealed a highly significant difference in the average concentrations of interleukins il-4 (p=0.013) and il-10 (p<0.001) between the toxoplasma-positive/anti-tpo-positive group and the toxoplasma-negative/anti-tpo-negative group of aborted women.conclusion: elevated concentrations of il-4, il-10, and il-6 have been associated with women undergoing recurrent miscarriages and negative anti-tpo results. the complex interaction between pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines is essential for immunological balance and pregnancy outcomes in a condition of toxoplasmosis. an increase in il-4 and il-10 levels in anti-tpo-positive individuals may lead to an imbalance in immune response, facilitating the development of autoimmune thyroid disease.