Seroprevalence of IgG and IgM anti-Toxoplasma antibodies in HIV/AIDS patients, northern Iran

Objective: To determine the seroprevalence of anti Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) IgG and IgM antibodies in HIV/AIDS patients and uninfected subjects. Methods: This cross sectional survey was carried out on 78 healthy and 62 HIV+/AIDS individuals in northern Iran between September 2007 and October 2008. Five mL of blood samples were collected from each person in case and control groups. Determination of CD4(+) counts was performed by flow cytometry. The serum separated from blood samples was evaluated by conventional ELISA technique to determine the presence of antibodies to T. gondii. Results: Forty eight out of 62 (77.4%) HIV/AIDS serum samples were found positive for anti-T. gondii IgG antibody, compared with 59 among 78 (75.6%) HIV negative samples from the same area (P>0.05). Six out of 62 (9.7%) HIV+/AIDS patients showed anti-T. gondii IgM antibody in their serum samples, compared with 7 among 78 (9%) HIV negative samples(P>0.05). The mean of CD4(+) counts in HIV+/AIDS was (430.8 +/- 182.3) cells/mu L and in control group was (871.0 +/- 243.3)% cells/mu L (P<0.01). CD4(+) estimation in 5 (11.1%) of HIV+/AIDS patients was <200 cells/mu L (P<0.000 1). Conclusions: Seroprevalence of latent toxoplasmosis in HD/ patients is high, therefore the prevention of toxoplasmic encephalitis, administration of primary prophylaxis with co-trimoxazole to all HIV+/AIDS patients are necessary.