Relationship Between the Abo Blood Group Systems of Toxoplasma gondii Infected Patients in Wasit Province, Iraq

Background and Objective: Toxoplasmosis is a widespread zoonotic disease caused by Toxoplasma gondii, a single-celled obligate coccidian parasite from the phylum Apicomplexa. It affects nearly one-third of the global population and can cause severe complications in immunocompromised individuals. This study investigated the relationship between ABO blood group distribution and T. gondii infection in women from Wasit Province, Iraq. Materials and Methods: A total of 170 suspected cases were initially screened. After excluding individuals with chronic diseases (e.g., diabetes, hormonal disorders), 88 women aged 18-45 years were selected, including 56 confirmed toxoplasmosis cases (further divided into aborted and non-aborted) and 32 healthy controls. Blood samples were analyzed for ABO blood group distribution and statistically assessed using Chi-square tests to determine significance (p≤0.05). Results: A statistically significant difference (p≤0.05) was observed between patients and controls regarding ABO blood group distribution. Blood group O showed a higher frequency among infected individuals, whereas no significant differences were found in the distribution of other blood groups. Conclusion: This study suggests a possible association between blood group O and increased susceptibility to T. gondii infection. Further large-scale studies are recommended to confirm this relationship and explore underlying immunological mechanisms. Limitations include the sample size and the exclusion of other risk factors.