Seroprevalence and Risk Factors for Toxoplasmosis Among Psychiatric Patients in Southern Ghana

Abstract

Toxoplasma gondii infects 30–60% of the global population, with parasites often persisting in the brain. Given the burden of psychiatric disorders and their potential link to pathogens, this study determined the seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis among psychiatric patients, assessed seropositivity’s association with psychiatric disorders and identified associated risk factors. A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted from September 2024 to April 2025 at Ankaful Psychiatric Hospital, Cape Coast, Ghana, involving 91 inpatients and outpatients. Demographic data were collected via structured questionnaire, clinical diagnoses (DSM-IV) from medical records, and blood samples tested for anti-toxoplasma IgG using ELISA. Overall seroprevalence was 70.3% (64/91) with no significant association between seropositivity and specific psychiatric disorders (p = 0.076), though rates were highest in schizoaffective disorder (100%), schizophrenia (73.5%), major depressive disorder (66.7%), and bipolar disorder (60%). On unadjusted analysis, cat ownership (p = 0.023) and failure to wash fruits and vegetables (p = 0.016) were significantly associated with seropositivity, but neither remained significant after adjustment (cat ownership: AOR = 4.23, 95% CI: 0.823–36.141, p = 0.149; food hygiene: AOR = 0.246, 95% CI: 0.092–5.310, p = 0.481). No significant association was found with psychiatric conditions or demographic variables. These findings revealed high toxoplasmosis exposure among psychiatric patients with cat contact and poor food hygiene as key modifiable risk factors. However, they do point to the need to conduct future cross sectional and longitudinal studies, including a non-psychiatric control group, to gain a greater understanding of any potential causal link in this relatively understudied area.

The authors' abstract, as published at the source. Parasitologia, 2026 · DOI ↗