Estimation of Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in patients with cardiomyopathy.

The possible involvement of Toxoplasma gondii in the pathogenesis or as a complicating factor in patients with cardiomyopathy has been investigated by the serological detection of specific antibodies by IFAT. Fifty six serum samples were collected from patients who presented with dyspnoea on effort, pericardial pains, palpitations and oedema of lower limbs. They were investigated by Echo, ECG and epidemiological history, and diagnosed as dilated, ischaemic and restrictive cardiomyopathies and myocarditis. Forty serum samples from patients with valvular lesions were examined as a control group. Twelve out of 56 samples were positive at end titre of 1:16 (21.4%). Sera with positive titres were found to occur mostly in patients with ischaemic cardiomyopathy. All samples of the control group were negative.