Toxoplasma gondii infection and abdominal hernia: evidence of a new association
2011

Toxoplasma gondii Infection and Abdominal Hernia: New Association

Sample size: 1156 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Alvarado-Esquivel Cosme, Estrada-Martínez Sergio

Primary Institution: Juárez University of Durango State

Hypothesis

Is there an association between Toxoplasma gondii infection and abdominal hernia?

Conclusion

The study found that Toxoplasma infection is associated with abdominal hernia, particularly in individuals aged 50 and older.

Supporting Evidence

  • Anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibodies were found in 16.4% of subjects with hernia repair compared to 6.9% without.
  • Seroprevalence was significantly higher in individuals aged 50 and older with hernia repair.
  • Matching by age and sex showed even higher seroprevalence in patients with hernia repair.

Takeaway

People who have had abdominal hernia surgery are more likely to have a Toxoplasma infection, especially if they are older than 50.

Methodology

A retrospective, observational study examining Toxoplasma antibodies in 1156 adults, comparing those with and without a history of abdominal hernia repair.

Potential Biases

Potential bias due to the retrospective nature of the study and the small size of the hernia group.

Limitations

The hernia group was small compared to the control group, which may affect the generalizability of the results.

Participant Demographics

Participants were adults from the general population of Durango City, Mexico, with a focus on those with and without abdominal hernia repair.

Statistical Information

P-Value

0.01

Confidence Interval

95% CI: 1.10-6.57

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1756-3305-4-112

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