Pattern of demographic risk factors in the seroprevalence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in HIV infected patients at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital

Abstract

Background: The Apicomplexan protozoan, Toxoplasma gondii, is a human parasite, with an ubiquitous distribution. Prevalence of the infection varies widely, depending on cultural, geographic and climatic factors. More often asymptomatic, T. gondii infection may be a severe and life-threatening disease.

Objectives: This study was conducted to determine the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii IgG antibody (TIgG) among HIV infected persons at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital PEPFAR site, and the demographic characteristics of the study group.

Methods: 460 plasma specimens were tested for TIgG antibodies by enzyme immuno assay technique and close ended questionnaires were applied on all respondents to obtain relevant data on demographics. Plasma was obtained from two study groups comprising of 380 HIV positive patients and 80 HIV negative adults who served as the control group.

Results: The overall seroprevalence was 30% in the immunocompetent control group (37.5% of the males tested and 16.7% among the females). The over all seroprevalence of TIgG antibody among the HIV positive respondents was 54% (206 Of 380). The study therefore showed statistically significant difference between the seroprevalence of TIgG antibody among the immunocompetent control group and HIV positive study group (p = 0.00356). Seroprevalence of TIgG antibody was lowest among the educated subjects (19% of subjects with tertiary education). T. gondii antibody seroprevalence for males, married respondents and rural dwellers were 70.4%, 72.3% and 69% respectively, and were all statistically significant at p < 0.000. Moreso, a significant association was observed between the seroprevalence of anti toxoplasma gondii IgG antibody and the consumption of beef among the study groups. (P < 0.0001).

Conclusion: Socio-cultural and nutritional habits,contribute significantly to the prevalence of Toxoplasmosis and thus any effective control must be centred around these issues.