Evaluation of seroepidemiological toxoplasmosis in HIV/AIDS patients in the south of Brazil

Abstract

Toxoplasmosis is considered one of the opportunistic infections for individuals with the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), and is also a major cause of morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of neurotoxoplasmosis, ocular toxoplasmosis and antibodies for Toxoplasma gondii in HIV-positive patients attending the SAE (Specialized Assistance Service for HIV/AIDS), as well as to associate their serological profile with epidemiological and clinical data. A total of 250 patients participated in the study from December, 2009 to November, 2010. Serological analysis was performed using the indirect immunofluorescent technique; epidemiological data were gathered by a questionnaire, and clinical history was based on the analysis of medical charts. Prevalence of seropositivity was 80%, with history of neurotoxoplasmosis in 4.8% and of ocular toxoplasmosis in 1.6% of the patients. The Highly Active Antiretroviral Treatment (HAART) was not used by 32% of the patients, 18.4% of the patients had CD4+ T- lymphocyte count less than 200 cells/mm³ and 96.8% of them were not aware of the modes of disease transmission. These findings led us to conclude that the study population is at high risk of clinical toxoplasmosis, because of both reactivation of infection in the seropositive patients who do not make a regular use of HAART, and primo-infection in seronegative patients worsened by an unawareness of the modes of infection reported in this study.

Trends in AIDS-Defining Opportunistic Illnesses Incidence over 25 Years in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

“…Both in pre and post cART era, cerebral toxoplasmosis incidence rates observed in our cohort are higher than those observed in other studies both from high and low-middle income countries [23], [35], [37], [38]. Brazilian prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection is high [13], and specifically in the HIV-infected population this prevalence can reach 80% [46]. A significantly lower Toxoplasma seroprevalence has been estimated in HIV cohorts from high-income settings (11–16%) [20], [24].…”

Evaluation of Immune Responses in Mice after DNA Immunization with Putative Toxoplasma gondii Calcium-Dependent Protein Kinase 5

“…The parasite can infect human beings and virtually all food production and companion animals and thus is able to cause serious public health problems (2,4,5,6). T. gondii infection in fetuses and in immunodeficient individuals, including AIDS patients, can result in severe disease and even death (1,7,8). When the primary T. gondii infection occurs during pregnancy, it can lead to miscarriage, severe neonatal malformations, and ocular complications in the fetus (1,9).…”

Associação entre diferentes métodos de avaliação nutricional em pacientes com HIV/AIDS em um hospital público

“…Embora de ocorrência rara em indivíduos imunocompetentes, é a infecção oportunista que mais atinge pessoas com HIV, principalmente aquelas com um total de células CD4+ menor que 200 céls/mm³ (23,24) . Trabalho realizado com 250 pacientes de um Serviço de Atenção Especializada (SAE) de Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, mostrou que 80% dos indivíduos apresentavam soropositividade para NTX e que 4,8% apresentavam histórico da doença (25) . Os participantes da atual pesquisa, em sua maioria, relataram não praticar nenhuma atividade física.…”