Toxoplasma gondii Antibody in HIV-Infected Persons

Abstract

Toxoplasmosis in an immunocompromised host was not documented in Thailand until 1992 when HIV/AIDS infection became pandemic. Patients with toxoplasmic encephalitis and cerebral abscess were recorded, particularly from the northern part of the country. However, data on the prevalence of the disease in HIV/AIDS patients is not yet available. In this study the authors determine the prevalence of T.gondii antibody in HIV persons. During a two-year period 312 serum samples of which 190 were HIV positive and the remaining samples were negative for HIV were tested. In the HIV positive group, 44 samples (23.2%) were positive for toxoplasma IgG antibody, whilst in the HIV negative group 36 samples (29.5%) were positive. All antibody titres found were not higher than 1:64. There is no significant difference of toxoplasma IgG antibody in HIV positive and HIV negative persons (p=0.25). Among the HIV positive and T.gondii antibody positive group, 19 out of 44 persons (43.2%) had symptoms and signs of acute toxoplasmosis involving the eye and/ or the central nervous system. Due to the high reactivation rate, the authors propose that all HIV-infected persons should be tested for T.gondii antibody and prophylactic treatment of opportunistic infection from T.gondii should be considered in those with positive results.