Parasitosis as a potential risk factor in restless leg syndrome: Toxoplasma gondii and Toxocara spp.

Altunisik, Erman and Celik, Tuncay and Gul, Tuba and Arici, Yeliz Kasko and Karaman, Ulku and Almis, Behice Han and Arik, Ali and Ekinci, Hatice (2026) Parasitosis as a potential risk factor in restless leg syndrome: Toxoplasma gondii and Toxocara spp. IDEGGYOGYASZATI SZEMLE / CLINICAL NEUROSCIENCE, 79 (5-6). pp. 161-167. ISSN 0019-1442

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Abstract

Background and purpose – The pathophysiology of restless leg syndrome is notyet clear, but the dopaminergic system isthought to play a role in its pathogenesis.Recent studies have shown that pre- andpostsynaptic dopaminergic neuronal receptor abnormalities exist in the basal ganglia inrestless leg syndrome. This study aimed toinvestigate whether Toxoplasma gondii andToxocara spp. infections are possible causesof neuropathological involvement in restlessleg syndrome (RLS) patients.Methods – The study sample compriseda total of 174 participants, including 99patients with RLS and 75 healthy controls.The presence of anti-T. gondii IgG and antiToxocara IgG antibodies was subsequentlyinvestigated using ELISA (EUROIMMUN).The relationship between the severity of thedisease, as categorized into four stages, andthe seropositivity of T. gondii and Toxocarawere examined. Results – The rate of anti-T. gondii antibody positivity was significantly higher inthe patient group than in the control group(p<0.001, OR: 4.38). The rate of anti-Toxocaraantibody positivity was significantly higher inthe patient group than in the control group(p=0.026, OR: 2.44). The co-seropositivityrate of both parasites was significantly higherin the patient group than in the controlgroup (p=0.010, OR: 13.37). T. gondii seropositivity was significantly higher in patientswith very severe, severe, and moderatedisease than in those with mild disease(p=0.043).Conclusion – Chronic T. gondii and Toxocarainfections may contribute to the pathogenicmechanisms underlying RLS, and chronictoxoplasmosis may increase RLS disease severity. This study may help improve screening approaches in the management of RLS.

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