PREVALENCE OF IGG AND IGM AND ASSOCIATED RISK FACTORS AMONG HIV-POSITIVE AND HIV-NEGATIVE PATIENTS IN VHEMBE DISTRICT OF SOUTH AFRICA.

BACKGROUND

is a zoonotic parasite that has arisen as an important opportunistic infection that causes morbidity and mortality especially in HIV positive patients. This study was carried out to determine the sero-prevalence of (IgG and IgM) and the associated risk factors among HIV positive and negative patients in Northern South Africa.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study was conducted in the Vhembe District in Limpopo province from April 2012 to January 2013. A well-structured questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic information and possible risk factor information on toxoplasmosis from participants. A total of 161 blood samples of both HIV positive and negative patients visiting the local clinics in the Vhembe district were collected. Serum samples were tested for IgG and IgM against using commercially available ELISA protocol.

RESULTS

The prevalence of IgG was 31.7% while that of IgM was 4.9%. The prevalence of IgG was higher in HIV positive patients (38%) compared to 16.7% among HIV negative patients (p=0.001). IgG antibodies were more common in patients who were not taking ARV's (46.2%) compared to those who were taking ARV's (35.2%) (P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The present study has shown a high prevalence of (IgG) among patients attending different HIV clinics in the Vhembe district with no current infections among pregnant women. In addition to the sero-positive status of the patient to HIV, other significant risk factors for toxoplasmosis included high viral load, non-adherence to ARV therapy and age (>25 years).