Toxoplasma Antibodies in Sera from Collagen Diseases and Related Disorders

Abstract

Serum samples from 107 patients of collagen diseases and related disorders were measured for the serum toxoplasma antibody by the indirect hemagglutination technique in the Department of Dermatology, Kawasaki Medical School, between Jan 1, 1986 and Dec 31, 1988. Specific antibody against toxoplasma was found in 50% of the patients with dermatomyositis (DM), in 5.9% of normal pregnant women, in 12.9% of those with collagen diseases without DM and related disorders, in 9.4% of those with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and in 17.4% of those with progressive systemic sclerosis (PSS). The incidence of toxoplasma antibody was statistically greater in patients with DM than either in patients with other collagen diseases or in normal pregnant women. The clinical interpretation of the antibody was discussed with a special reference to DM.