Association between Toxoplasma gondii infection and diabetes in pregnant women: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
4 affiliations
- 1Students Research Committee, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran.
- 2Department of Biostatistics, School of Medicine, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran.
- 3Infectious Diseases Research Center (IDRC), Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran. [email protected].
- 4Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran. [email protected].
Abstract
Background
Toxoplasma gondii is a globally prevalent zoonotic parasite that can cause significant maternal and neonatal complications during pregnancy. Diabetes mellitus, a condition associated with impaired immune function, may increase susceptibility to such infection. Despite the severe consequences of toxoplasmosis in immunocompromised individuals, no systematic review has previously evaluated its association with diabetes in pregnant women.Methods
Following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines, a comprehensive search was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and Google Scholar (updated in August 2025). Eligible human observational studies reporting Toxoplasma gondii infection among pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), type 1 diabetes, or type 2 diabetes were included. Data extraction and quality assessment were performed using Hoy et al.'s tool and Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Meta-analysis was conducted using Stata version 17.Results
Out of 198 retrieved articles, 9 studies (7 case-control and 2 cross-sectional) met the inclusion criteria. In cross-sectional studies, pooled IgG seroprevalence among diabetic pregnant women was 29% (95% CI: 0.22-0.35), with low heterogeneity (I² = 23.63%). IgM seroprevalence was 7% (95% CI: 0.02-0.12). Case-control meta-analysis revealed a significant association between IgG seropositivity and diabetic pregnancy (OR = 2.07, 95% CI: 1.66-2.58; p < 0.001) without evidence of publication bias or heterogeneity. IgM seropositivity was not significantly different between diabetic and healthy pregnant women (OR = 1.81, 95% CI: 0.97-3.35; p > 0.05).Conclusion
Diabetic pregnant women exhibit a significantly higher prevalence of chronic T. gondii infection (IgG) compared to non-diabetic controls, highlighting a potential association that warrants further investigation. However, the association with acute infection remains unclear. More prospective, geographically diverse studies are needed to clarify causality, underlying mechanisms, and clinical outcomes.
Related
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BibTeX
@article{mirmomeni2026association,
title = {{Association between Toxoplasma gondii infection and diabetes in pregnant women: a systematic review and meta-analysis.}},
author = {Seyyed Amir Mohammad Mirmomeni and Azam Moslemi and Reza Ghasemikhah},
journal = {BMC infectious diseases},
year = {2026},
month = jul,
doi = {10.1186/s12879-026-14081-0},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42928127},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Association between Toxoplasma gondii infection and diabetes in pregnant women: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
AU - Seyyed Amir Mohammad Mirmomeni
AU - Azam Moslemi
AU - Reza Ghasemikhah
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/07/28
JO - BMC infectious diseases
DO - 10.1186/s12879-026-14081-0
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42928127
AB - Background Toxoplasma gondii is a globally prevalent zoonotic parasite that can cause significant maternal and neonatal complications during pregnancy. Diabetes mellitus, a condition associated with impaired immune function, may increase susceptibility to such infection. Despite the severe consequences of toxoplasmosis in immunocompromised individuals, no systematic review has previously evaluated its association with diabetes in pregnant women.Methods Following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines, a comprehensive search was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and Google Scholar (updated in August 2025). Eligible human observational studies reporting Toxoplasma gondii infection among pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), type 1 diabetes, or type 2 diabetes were included. Data extraction and quality assessment were performed using Hoy et al.'s tool and Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Meta-analysis was conducted using Stata version 17.Results Out of 198 retrieved articles, 9 studies (7 case-control and 2 cross-sectional) met the inclusion criteria. In cross-sectional studies, pooled IgG seroprevalence among diabetic pregnant women was 29% (95% CI: 0.22-0.35), with low heterogeneity (I² = 23.63%). IgM seroprevalence was 7% (95% CI: 0.02-0.12). Case-control meta-analysis revealed a significant association between IgG seropositivity and diabetic pregnancy (OR = 2.07, 95% CI: 1.66-2.58; p < 0.001) without evidence of publication bias or heterogeneity. IgM seropositivity was not significantly different between diabetic and healthy pregnant women (OR = 1.81, 95% CI: 0.97-3.35; p > 0.05).Conclusion Diabetic pregnant women exhibit a significantly higher prevalence of chronic T. gondii infection (IgG) compared to non-diabetic controls, highlighting a potential association that warrants further investigation. However, the association with acute infection remains unclear. More prospective, geographically diverse studies are needed to clarify causality, underlying mechanisms, and clinical outcomes.
SN - 1471-2334
ER -