Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii among HIV Patients in Jahrom, Southern Iran

Abstract

<i>Toxoplasma gondii</i> is an important opportunistic agent especially in immunocompromised hosts and can cause significant morbidity and mortality. Hence, detection and monitoring of anti-<i>Toxoplasma</i> antibodies are of a great interest in HIV-infected patients. A study on the prevalence of toxoplasmosis and associated risk factors was carried out among HIV-infected patients in Jahrom, southern Iran. The prevalence of anti-<i>Toxoplasma</i> IgG antibodies was 21.1% in HIV-infected patients by ELISA. PCR was performed on all of the samples, and 1 of the blood samples was positively detected. Among the HIV patients, anti-<i>Toxoplasma</i> IgG antibodies were significantly higher in age group of 30-39 years old (<i>P</i>=0.05). The seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis in patients with CD4⁺<100 cells/μl was 33.3% that was significantly higher than the other groups (<i>P</i>=0.042) with or without IgG antibodies. The CD4⁺ count mean of seropositive patients was lower than that of seronegative patients. The seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis in patients with highly active antiretroviral therapy was significantly less than patients without therapy (<i>P</i>=0.02). In conclusion, this study showed low seroprevalence of latent toxoplasmosis among HIV-infected patients in the region and confirmed the need for intensifying prevention efforts among this high-risk population and also the risk of toxoplasmosis reactivation which could be important among this population.