Objective: Toxoplasma gondii is an intracellular protozoan that may disrupt the traditional cell barriers against cancer, allowing the accumulation of oncogenic mutations over time. Our research aimed to explore the relationship between T. gondii infection and liver cancer development. Methods: The present study, conducted in the city of Nasiriya, Iraq, involved 80 blood samples collected from individuals aged 18 to 70 years, of both sexes. The samples were divided into two groups: 40 from patients diagnosed with liver cancer and 40 from healthy individuals. All samples were tested using ELISA to detect anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies (IgG and IgM). Results: The results showed that 21 liver cancer patients and 14 healthy individuals tested positive for T. gondii. Furthermore, liver enzyme levels (ALT, AST, and ALP) were assessed in all participants. The findings revealed a notable elevation in enzyme levels among liver cancer patients co-infected with T. gondii, compared to both non-infected liver cancer patients and the healthy control group. Using PCR, the B1 gene was amplified to confirm infection in selected samples. Ten B1-positive samples (5 from liver cancer and 5 from control) were tested for the GRA6 gene using nested PCR. DNA was extracted with a commercial kit, and amplification was performed using specific primers. Genotyping was conducted via PCR-RFLP targeting the GRA6 gene, using the MseI enzyme to distinguish T. gondii strains based on fragment sizes. RFLP analysis using MseI differentiated genotypes I, II, and III. Conclusion: This study genotyped Toxoplasma gondii in liver cancer patients using nested-PCR and RFLP targeting the GRA6 gene. Genotype I predominated among liver cancer patients, whereas control Genotypes II was predominance in the control group.
Jasim, N. H. and Al-Waaly, A. B. M. (2026). Elevated Liver Enzymes and Genotype I of T. gondii Among Liver Cancer Patients: Evidence of a Potential Link. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention, 27(1), 361-369. doi: 10.31557/APJCP.2026.27.1.361
MLA
Jasim, N. H., and Al-Waaly, A. B. M.. "Elevated Liver Enzymes and Genotype I of T. gondii Among Liver Cancer Patients: Evidence of a Potential Link", Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention, 27, 1, 2026, 361-369. doi: 10.31557/APJCP.2026.27.1.361
HARVARD
Jasim, N. H., Al-Waaly, A. B. M. (2026). 'Elevated Liver Enzymes and Genotype I of T. gondii Among Liver Cancer Patients: Evidence of a Potential Link', Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention, 27(1), pp. 361-369. doi: 10.31557/APJCP.2026.27.1.361
CHICAGO
N. H. Jasim and A. B. M. Al-Waaly, "Elevated Liver Enzymes and Genotype I of T. gondii Among Liver Cancer Patients: Evidence of a Potential Link," Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention, 27 1 (2026): 361-369, doi: 10.31557/APJCP.2026.27.1.361
VANCOUVER
Jasim, N. H., Al-Waaly, A. B. M. Elevated Liver Enzymes and Genotype I of T. gondii Among Liver Cancer Patients: Evidence of a Potential Link. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention, 2026; 27(1): 361-369. doi: 10.31557/APJCP.2026.27.1.361
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