The leukaemogenic effect of irradiation associated with toxoplasmosis
was studied. Rats were infected with Toroplasnut gondii
RH strain 3 weeks prior to irradiation. The leukaemic effect of irradiation
was aggravated by toxoplasmosis as leukaemia appeared in
10% of 300 eGy irradiated rats and in 30% of 500 cGy irradiated ones,.
six months after irradiation.
INTRODUCTION
Acute toxoplasmosis is uncommon (Remington et al., 1960). Indeed
most cases were reported in patients associated with malignancy
as reticulum cell sarcoma, Hodgkin's disease or leukaemia who received
corticosteroids, radiation or antimetabolites ( Cheever et al.,
1965). Ionising radiation is a leukaemogenic factor (Miale, 1977).
Laurence ('1984) expected that, between 1 and 6 out of a million
exposed to 1 rad per year would develop leukaemia. The incidence
of leukaemia was also greater in radiologists than in other physicians
(Settser and Sartmell, 1965). Also, the incidence of leukaemia is high
among children treated with x-irradiation for thymic enlargement
(Hempelmann, 1975). Several studies were performed to detect the
effect of radiation and other immunosuppressives on toxoplasmosis
(Frerkel, 1957, Cheever et al., 1965; and El Rifaie et al., 1979) but
there is a wide gap of knowledge concerning the effect of toxoplasmosis
on irradiated patients.
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