Abstract

Objective: To investigate the association of polymorphisms in genes that code for interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and interleukin-10 (IL-10), which play important roles in Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) infection, with the occurrence of T. gondii co-infection in HIV patients. Methods: The IFN-γ +874A/T and IL-10 -1082A/G polymorphism statuses of 306 HIV seropositive samples were characterized using PCR. The polymorphism statuses were analyzed together with the clinical data for each patient. Results: Immunoglobulin M anti-T. gondii seropositivity was associated with high IL-10 levels [adjusted odds ratio (OR): 0.4, 95% confidence intervals (CI): 0.181–0.825; P = 0.014], but not with either the IL-10 -1082A/G or IFN-γ +874A/T polymorphism. In addition, the IFN-γ +874A allele was associated with immunoglobulin G (IgG) anti-T. gondii seropositivity (OR: 1.5, 95% CI: 1.043–2.193; P = 0.029). In patients with CD4+ T cell levels ≥ 200 cells/µL, the IFN-γ +874 AA genotype was associated with IgG anti-T. gondii seropositivity (adjusted OR: 2.5, 95% CI: 1.278–4.950; P = 0.008). Conclusions: The IFN-γ +874A/T polymorphism is associated with IgG anti-T. gondii seropositivity. This polymorphism might be useful to predict the susceptibility of HIV patients to toxoplasmosis.

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