Do we Need to Screen Uremic Patients for Toxoplasmosis before Kidney Transplantation?

Background: Toxoplasmosis can cause serious complications among persons with weakened immune systems and therefore in solid organ transplant patients. Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate the value of screening for toxoplasma antibody titers in the donors and recipients candidate for renal transplantation in Ahvaz city, Iran. Materials and Methods: In a cross sectional study from March 2010 to April 2012, we evaluated donors and recipients who referred to our kidney transplant center in Naft Hospital, Ahwaz, Iran.Routine pre transplante laboratory testes including liver function and toxoplasma IgG and IgM antibody were performed. Results: A total of 52 people, 30 donors (20 male and 10 Female) and 22 recipients (12 male and 10 female) were included in the study. Mean age of donors and recipients were 30.32 ± 6.75 years and 45.09 ± 10.57 years respectively. The marker of HBV and HCV infection were negative in 100% of recipients and donors. Toxoplasma IgG antibody was positive in 45.45 percent of recipients (N = 10) and 63.33 percent of donors (N = 19) but there was no statistically significant difference between them (P = 0 .057) and between males and females (P = 0.74). Toxoplasma IgM antibody was negative in 100 percent of recipients (N = 22) and 93.33 percent of donors (N = 28). Conclusions: According to seropositivity for toxoplasma infection in about half of donors and recipients candidate for kidney transplantation, we should perform screening for this infection to avoid kidney donation from seropositive donor to seronegative recipient.