Cerebral Toxoplasmosis and Associated Risk Factors in People Living with HIV in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo

Abstract

Background and Aim: Cerebral toxoplasmosis is a very common opportunistic infection in people living with HIV but the data on this pathology in the DRC are fragmentary. This study aims to assess the extent of cerebral toxoplasmosis and its associated factors in hospitals in the city of Kinshasa. Methods: A cross-sectional study of data was collected from 263 PLHIV in 3 medical hospital facilities in the city of Kinshasa during the period from 01/01/2008 to 12/31/2013. Data on the socio-demographic, clinical, paraclinical and evolutionary profiles were collected using a questionnaire. A predictive model using logistic regression identified factors associated with cerebral toxoplasmosis at a threshold of p < 0.05. Results: The frequency of cerebral toxoplasmosis in PLHIV was 19.4%. The absence of cotrimoxazole prophylaxis (aOR 6.9 95% CI [2.7 - 17.5]), ART less than 6 months (aOR8.1 95% CI [3.2 - 21.0], the rate CD4 < 200 cells/mm3 (aOR 3.6 95% CI [1.018 - 12.8]) were independent predictors of cerebral toxoplasmosis. Conclusion: This study found a high prevalence of cerebral toxoplasmosis, similar to other studies. Early management of PLWHA is recommended to reduce this frequency.