High frequency of infection of lung cancer patients with the parasite Toxoplasma gondii

Abstract

BackgroundToxoplasma gondii is an intracellular protozoan parasite that can cause a wide range of clinical conditions, including miscarriage and pneumonia. The global prevalence is 30% in humans, but varies by locality (e.g. in the UK it is typically 10%). The association between lung cancer and T.  gondii infection was investigated by direct detection in lung tissue samples.MethodsLung tissue samples were taken from patients undergoing lung resection surgery (n=72) for suspected lung cancer (infection prevalence 100% (95% CI: 93.9–100%)). All 72 participants were confirmed as having lung cancer following subsequent diagnostic tests. In addition, bronchial biopsy samples were collected from non-lung cancer healthy control subjects (n=10). Samples were tested for T.  gondii using PCR amplification of T.  gondii specific gene markers and T.  gondii specific immunohistochemistry.ResultsAll 72 lung cancer patients were infected with T.  gondii (prevalence 100% (95% CI: 93.9–100%)). Of which, 95.8% (n=69) of patients showed evidence of active parasite stages. Infection prevalence in the controls (10%) was significantly lower (p<0.0001).ConclusionsClinicians treating lung cancer patients should be aware of the potential presence of the parasite, the potential for induction of symptomatic complications and interference with treatment success.