Toxoplasma serology, parasitemia and antigenemia in patients at risk for toxoplasmic encephalitis

AIDS. 1991 Nov;5(11):1363-5. doi: 10.1097/00002030-199111000-00013.

Abstract

In order to further characterize the pathogenesis of Toxoplasma gondii infection in patients with AIDS and AIDS-related complex (ARC), a cohort of HIV- and Toxoplasma-infected individuals were identified and prospectively followed. Four hundred and 10 HIV-infected individuals followed in the San Francisco General Hospital AIDS Clinic were screened for antibodies to Toxoplasma between November 1986 and November 1988. Of the 67 (16%) individuals seropositive for Toxoplasma antibodies, 33 (49%) were followed monthly for a mean duration of 7.5 months. One hundred and 11 follow-up blood samples were obtained in order to determine Toxoplasma serology and the incidence of parasitemia. In general, Toxoplasma immunoglobulin (Ig) G antibodies remained stable over time. Detection of Toxoplasma antigenemia and parasitemia was uniformly negative, including those specimens obtained from two individuals within 45 days of their developing toxoplasmic encephalitis.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Protozoan / blood
  • Antigens, Protozoan / blood
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / complications*
  • HIV Infections / immunology
  • HIV Infections / parasitology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Opportunistic Infections / complications*
  • Opportunistic Infections / immunology
  • Opportunistic Infections / parasitology
  • Prospective Studies
  • Risk Factors
  • Toxoplasma / immunology
  • Toxoplasma / isolation & purification
  • Toxoplasmosis, Cerebral / complications*
  • Toxoplasmosis, Cerebral / immunology
  • Toxoplasmosis, Cerebral / parasitology

Substances

  • Antibodies, Protozoan
  • Antigens, Protozoan