Toxoplasma gondii : the prevalence and risk factors in HIV-Infected patients in fars Province, Southern Iran
Joint Authors
Arefkhah, Nasir
Afrashteh, Masud
Ridai, Zahrah
Dehghani, Muna
Sarkari, Bahador
Source
Iranian Red Crescent Medical Journal
Issue
Vol. 20, Issue 6 (30 Jun. 2018), pp.1-6, 6 p.
Publisher
Publication Date
2018-06-30
Country of Publication
United Arab Emirates
No. of Pages
6
Main Subjects
Abstract EN
Background: Toxoplasma gondii is a zoonotic protozoan that threatens the health of the people infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
HIV-positive subjects are at risk of cerebral toxoplasmosis.
Objectives: The current study was designed to find out the seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis in HIV-infected individuals in Fars province, in the South of Iran.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 251 HIV-infected individuals referred to Shiraz HIV/AIDS Research Center in Fars province, Southern Iran, in 2016.
Blood samples (5 mL) were collected from each individual and sera as well as buffy coat were isolated from each sample.
Demographic and HIV-associated data were obtained from the patients’ medical records.
Anti-Toxoplasma antibodies (both IgG and IgM) were determined by ELISA, using a commercial kit.
In addition, PCR, targeting a 529 bp gene of T.
gondii was performed on the patients’ buffy coats for detection of Toxoplasma DNA.
Results: Anti-Toxoplasma antibodies were detected in the sera of 42 out of 251 (16.7%) HIV infected patients.
Of these, 39 cases (15.5%) were seropositive only for IgG and 3 (1.2%) were positive only for IgM.
Seropositive subjects mainly belonged to 40 - 49 year age group.
None of the subjects were positive for Toxoplasma DNA when evaluated by the PCR.
No significant associations were found between Toxoplasma seropositivity and gender, age, and CD4+ cell level (P > 0.05).
Conclusions: Findings of this study demonstrated a significant rate of seroprevalence of Toxoplasma in HIV infected subjects in Fars province, Southern Iran.
The seropositive cases are at risk of Toxoplasma reactivation and subsequent cerebral encephalitis.
Treatment and also prevention of toxoplasmosis in HIV positive people should be considered.
American Psychological Association (APA)
Arefkhah, Nasir& Sarkari, Bahador& Afrashteh, Masud& Ridai, Zahrah& Dehghani, Muna. 2018. Toxoplasma gondii : the prevalence and risk factors in HIV-Infected patients in fars Province, Southern Iran. Iranian Red Crescent Medical Journal،Vol. 20, no. 6, pp.1-6.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-897333
Modern Language Association (MLA)
Arefkhah, Nasir…[et al.]. Toxoplasma gondii : the prevalence and risk factors in HIV-Infected patients in fars Province, Southern Iran. Iranian Red Crescent Medical Journal Vol. 20, no. 6 (Jun. 2018), pp.1-6.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-897333
American Medical Association (AMA)
Arefkhah, Nasir& Sarkari, Bahador& Afrashteh, Masud& Ridai, Zahrah& Dehghani, Muna. Toxoplasma gondii : the prevalence and risk factors in HIV-Infected patients in fars Province, Southern Iran. Iranian Red Crescent Medical Journal. 2018. Vol. 20, no. 6, pp.1-6.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-897333
Data Type
Journal Articles
Language
English
Notes
Includes bibliographical references : p. 5-6
Record ID
BIM-897333