Abstract

Objective: To determine the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma infection in the HIV infected and HIV non-infected individuals in our region, including antenatal women. Methods: Five mL of blood sample was collected from a total of 1 181 individuals aged 12 years and above. These included 661 (55.9%) from HIV positive patients and 520 (44.1%) from HIV negative individuals. A total of 238 samples out of the 520 HIV negative patients were collected from the antenatal women. Demographic profile of the subjects was recorded. Immunoglobulin G ELISA was performed for all the samples, while only the samples received from antenatal women were tested by immunoglobulin M capture ELISA. Results: Seroprevalence among HIV infected and non-infected was found to be 21.3% (95% confidence interval = 18.4%-24.6%) and 14.2% (95% confidence interval = 11.5%-17.5%), respectively. The difference was statistically significant (P = 0.003). No significant gender differences were found. Seroprevalence increased from 9.1% to 30% with increasing age in the HIV infected patients. Only 2 (0.84%) samples of antenatal women were positive for immunoglobulin M capture ELSIA, while one sample was equivocally reactive. Conclusions: Seroprevalence of latent toxoplasmosis in our region is moderately high, particularly in the HIV infected patients, exposing them to the risk of reactivation. This suggests that serologic testing of all HIV infected patients is essential to initiate Toxoplasma prophylaxis. Similarly, screening for active Toxoplasma gondii infection during antenatal care and preventive education is essential to prevent and minimize congenital toxoplasmosis.

Authors and Affiliations