Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in people at an increased risk of HIV infection – a pilot study

Introduction: The observation of the epidemiology of toxoplasmosis may prevent the development of a severe form of the disease in HIV patients. Aim: The aim of the study was to evaluate the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in the population of the Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship at high risk of contracting HIV. Material and methods: Blood serum samples of 43 patients of the Consulting and Diagnostic AIDS Center were tested for the presence of anti-HIV-1/HIV-2 antibodies and p24 antigen, and for the presence of anti-toxoplasma IgM and IgG antibodies. Results: Anti-toxoplasma IgG antibody prevalence of 53.5% (23/43) was found in the study population, while the examination of specific IgM antibodies was negative. A high IgG antibody avidity index was obtained in 18 (94.7%) seropositive samples. Thirty (69.77%) of the samples were female, and 13 (30.23%) were male. Among men, HIV was detected in 1 (7.69%), and IgG antibodies against T. gondii in 7 (53.85%) samples. IgG antibodies against T. gondii were found in 16 (53.33%) women. The HIV-positive individual was 24 years old. The presence of antibodies against T. gondii in the IgG class was found in people of different ages (in women aged 38.44 ±13.00 years old and in men aged 29.29 ±10.86 years old). The risky situation that could cause HIV infection is in most cases sexual contacts (79.07%). Conclusions: High seroprevalence of T. gondii was found among the studied subjects at a high risk of HIV infection. Further research is required on a larger study group.

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