Hasan Rafati-Sajedi1, Bijan Majidi-Shad2, Reza Jafari-Shakib3,4, Zahra Atrkar-Roshan5, Mohammad Reza Mahmoudi1, Seyed Mahmood Rezvani6. 1. Department of Medical Parasitology, School of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran. 2. Department of Medical Parasitology, School of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran. bmajidis39@gmail.com. 3. Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran. 4. Medical Biotechnology Research Center, School of Paramedicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran. 5. Department of Biostatistics, School of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran. 6. Guilan Province Health Center, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Toxoplasma gondii is an important opportunistic intracellular protozoan parasite that can cause severe sequelae and even death in immunodeficient patients. This study aimed to evaluate the seroprevalence and risk factors of toxoplasmosis among HIV+/AIDS patients of the study area. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out on 121 registered HIV+/AIDS patients of behavioral diseases consultation center (BDCC) in Guilan province, north of Iran. Anti-Toxoplasma IgG and IgM antibodies were measured by ELISA technique in the serum samples. IgG avidity was measured for IgG- plus IgM-positive cases. Also, the relationship between T. gondii infection and related demographic and clinical characteristics were investigated. RESULTS: Anti-T. gondii IgG and IgM antibodies were detected in 60.3 and 4.9% of patients, respectively. One case of acute toxoplasmosis (0.83%) was detected using an IgG avidity test. A significant correlation was observed between toxoplasmosis with age and marital status in these patients. The mean CD4+count of HIV+/AIDS patients was 549 ± 27 cells/µl. Viral load in 69.7% of the HIV patients was less than1000 copies/ml. CONCLUSION: None of the T. gondii IgM-positive HIV patients received anti-Toxoplasma prophylaxis. This finding highlights the importance of T. gondii infection surveillance in HIV patients. Regarding the high prevalence of toxoplasmosis in the study population, educational efforts are recommended to prevent reactivation or acquiring primary infection and developing severe cases of toxoplasmosis in immunocompromised HIV+/AIDS patients.
PURPOSE: Toxoplasma gondii is an important opportunistic intracellular protozoan parasite that can cause severe sequelae and even death in immunodeficient patients. This study aimed to evaluate the seroprevalence and risk factors of toxoplasmosis among HIV+/AIDS patients of the study area. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out on 121 registered HIV+/AIDS patients of behavioral diseases consultation center (BDCC) in Guilan province, north of Iran. Anti-Toxoplasma IgG and IgM antibodies were measured by ELISA technique in the serum samples. IgG avidity was measured for IgG- plus IgM-positive cases. Also, the relationship between T. gondii infection and related demographic and clinical characteristics were investigated. RESULTS: Anti-T. gondii IgG and IgM antibodies were detected in 60.3 and 4.9% of patients, respectively. One case of acute toxoplasmosis (0.83%) was detected using an IgG avidity test. A significant correlation was observed between toxoplasmosis with age and marital status in these patients. The mean CD4+count of HIV+/AIDS patients was 549 ± 27 cells/µl. Viral load in 69.7% of the HIV patients was less than1000 copies/ml. CONCLUSION: None of the T. gondii IgM-positive HIV patients received anti-Toxoplasma prophylaxis. This finding highlights the importance of T. gondii infection surveillance in HIV patients. Regarding the high prevalence of toxoplasmosis in the study population, educational efforts are recommended to prevent reactivation or acquiring primary infection and developing severe cases of toxoplasmosis in immunocompromised HIV+/AIDS patients.
Authors: Fernando Rosso; Jessica T Les; Alejandro Agudelo; Carlos Villalobos; José A Chaves; Gloria Anais Tunubala; Adriana Messa; Jack S Remington; José G Montoya Journal: Am J Trop Med Hyg Date: 2008-03 Impact factor: 2.345
Authors: Nathan Ford; Zara Shubber; Graeme Meintjes; Beatriz Grinsztejn; Serge Eholie; Edward J Mills; Mary-Ann Davies; Marco Vitoria; Martina Penazzato; Sabin Nsanzimana; Lisa Frigati; Daniel O'Brien; Tom Ellman; Olawale Ajose; Alexandra Calmy; Meg Doherty Journal: Lancet HIV Date: 2015-08-11 Impact factor: 12.767