Toxoplasma Gondii Infection In Patients Research Articles

Seroprevalence and sociodemographic characteristics of Toxoplasma gondii infection in patients with psychiatric disorders in Malaysia

Toxoplasma gondii is a neurotropic protozoan parasite that affects neuronal processing in the brain. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of T. gondii infection in psychiatric disorder patients. We also investigated the potential association between sociodemographic, clinical manifestation, and behavior of Toxoplasma-seropositive patients with psychiatric disorders. Commercial ELISAs (IgG, IgM, and IgG avidity) using serum and PCR using buffy coat were performed on samples from 54 individuals in each of the following groups: patients diagnosed with depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia, as well as psychiatrically healthy subjects (control group). They were recruited from the Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia in Kelantan, Malaysia. Of 54 patients with depressive disorder, 24/54 (44.4 %) were seropositive for IgG, and four (16.7 %) were IgG+/IgM+. Among the latter, a high avidity index indicating a past infection was observed in half of the samples (50.0 %), and the other half (50.0 %) showed a low avidity index, indicating a possible recent infection. Meanwhile, 30/54 (55.6 %) patients with bipolar disorder were seropositive for IgG+, five (16.7 %) were IgG+/IgM+, and four of them had a high avidity index, and one had a low avidity index. Patients with schizophrenia showed 29/54 (53.7 %) seropositive for IgG, two of them (6.9 %) were IgG+/IgM+; one of latter had a high avidity index, and one had a low avidity index. Of 54 people in the control group, 37.0 % (20/54) were seropositive for T. gondii IgG antibodies. However, no significant difference was observed in seroprevalence between the control group and each patient group. No PCR-positive results were documented. A Chi-Square and multiple logistic regression showed that age (p = 0.031), close contact with cats/pets (p = 0.033) and contact with soil (p = 0.012) were significantly associated with Toxoplasma seropositivity in patients with psychiatric disorders. Additional research is needed to elucidate the causal relationships and underlying mechanisms.

Seroepidemiology of Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Patients with Liver Disease in Southeastern Iran.

Recent research has been concentrated on investigating the involvement of Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) in the progression of liver disorders. This study aims to investigate the prevalence of T. gondii infection in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), as well as the effects of toxoplasmosis infection on biological biomarkers such as aspirate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), cholesterol (Chol), and triglyceride (Tg) levels in Sistan, southeast Iran. A case-control study was conducted between December 2021 and September 2022. The study included 225 patients diagnosed with NAFLD as the case group and 225 healthy blood donors as the control group. The controls were selected from the same region and were matched with the patients based on gender and age. We collected serum samples from all patients and utilized an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to analyze them for the existence of anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies. A questionnaire and medical records were utilized to gather data on the patient's demographic factors. The prevalence of anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies were 68 (30.2%) in patients with NAFLD, whereas it was 11 (4.88%) in the control group. The seroprevalence of T. gondii in NAFLD patients increased in correlation with age (P < 0.001). The prevalence of NAFLD was significantly greater in the seropositive group compared to the seronegative group (P < 0.001). In addition, the levels of the metabolic markers Chol and Tg were significantly higher in T. gondii seropositive NAFLD patients compared to T. gondii seronegative NAFLD patients. The findings of this study indicate a high seroprevalence of T. gondii in patients with NAFLD. Further studies are warranted to investigate the underlying mechanisms and potential therapeutic implications of this association.

Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Patients with Cardiovascular Diseases from Western Romania: A Case-Control Study.

(1) Background: Toxoplasma gondii infects approximately one third of the world's human population. The seroepidemiology of T. gondii in cardiovascular patients is poorly discussed in the existing literature. We aimed to evaluate, for the first time, the seroprevalence of T. gondii in cardiovascular patients from Western Romania. (2) Methods: Serologic testing to demonstrate the presence of T. gondii antibodies was conducted in 256 patients with cardiovascular diseases and 261 matched blood donors. (3) Results: The overall seroprevalence of T. gondii antibodies was 64.06% in patients with cardiovascular diseases and 52.88% in blood donors and tended to increase with age in both groups. The seroprevalence of T. gondii antibodies was significantly higher in cardiovascular male patients (69.94%) compared to male blood donors (55.69%) (p = 0.006). When compared to the control group, a significantly higher prevalence of T. gondii antibodies was found among patients with hypertension (82.35%; p = 0.01) and unstable angina (67.56%; p = 0.02). (4) Conclusions: This study brings new epidemiological information on the prevalence of T. gondii in Romanian cardiovascular patients. T. gondii seroprevalence was significantly higher in patients with hypertension and unstable angina, suggesting that individuals with these diagnoses may be more frequently infected with T. gondii. This study may be a valuable starting point for further research to better evaluate the impact of T. gondii exposure on patients with cardiovascular diseases.

Toxoplasma gondii infection in patients with brain tumors in Southern Iran: a case-control study.

Considerable evidence points to a dominant role of inflammation in tumor pathology. The biological response of the immune system can be triggered by Toxoplasma gondii as a common brain-tropic parasite. The aim of this study was to investigate an association between Toxoplasma infection and brain tumors. This case-control study was performed on sera of brain tumor patients (n = 124) and age- and sex-matched control subjects (n = 124) in Southern Iran. Data related to tumor site and type were collected during sample collection. Anti-Toxoplasma IgG was assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Seroprevalence anti-Toxoplasma IgG was significantly higher in brain tumor patients 30.6% (38/124) compared with 12.1% (15/124) of the healthy controls (OR 3.211; 95% CI 1.658 to 6.219; p = 0.001). The highest seroprevalence was detected in patients with ependymoma (100%), followed by glioblastoma (83%), pituitary adenoma (47.3%), astrocytoma (27.2%), schwannoma (23%), and meningioma (22.6%). The parasite infection was correlated to brain tumor's location i.e., the patients with frontal lobe and sella region tumors had higher seropositivity compared with others (P < 0.05). The higher prevalence of Toxoplasma infection among patients with brain tumor compared with the control group indicates a probable association between the infection and brain tumors.

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii among hemodialysis patients: A possible link to main T-lymphocyte subsets levels and dialysis adequacy

BackgroundA high prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection has been reported in patients with hemodialysis (HD). However, a lack of data exists on the relationship between T lymphocyte subsets and dialysis adequacy. This study aimed to investigate the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection among HD patients and its relation to T lymphocyte cells subsets, CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD4+/CD8+ ratio, and HD adequacy. MethodsThis cross-sectional comparative study was conducted on 92 subjects. Of them, 42 HD patients and 50 were control participants. Anti-Toxoplasma gondii IgG, IgM antibodies, the T lymphocyte cells subset CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD4+/CD8+ ratio, and adequacy of dialysis via calculation of Kt/V were detected for all subjects. ResultsThe seropositivity for anti-Toxoplasma gondii IgG antibodies was significantly higher in HD patients 66.7% (28/42) compared to 34% in controls (17/50), (p = 0.0003). The main T lymphocyte subsets was significantly lower in HD compared to controls (p < 0.05). Seropositive HD patients exhibited statistically significantly lower T lymphocyte cell subsets and CD4+/CD8+ ratio compared to seronegative patients (p < 0.05). There was a negative correlation between anti-Toxoplasma gondii IgG level and T lymphocyte subsets and the CD4/CD8+ ratio. Binary logistic regression showed that CD4+ T cell significantly predicts Toxoplasma gondii susceptibility among HD patients (p = 0.03). The mean Kt/V index is significantly lower among seropositive HD patients compared to seronegative HD patients (1.05 ± 0.46, 1.41 ± 0.53, respectively, p = 0.03) with a significant negative correlation with anti-Toxoplasma gondii IgG level (p < 0.05). ROC curve analysis showed the CD4+ T cell % had the highest AUC value among HD patients (AUC= 0.88, p < 0.001). The Kt/V value of ≤ 0.8 significantly predicted susceptibility to Toxoplasma gondii infection among HD patients (AUC = 0.68, p = 0.03). ConclusionThe current study reinforces previous reports of a high prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection among HD patients. CD4+ T cell and Kt/V showed a good diagnostic performance in predicting susceptibility for Toxoplasma gondii infection in HD patients. Considering the clinical consequences caused by Toxoplasma gondii infection in these patients, regular screening and adequate HD are recommended.

Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Patients with Psychiatric Disorders from Western Romania.

Background and Objectives: High rates of infection with Toxoplasma gondii were found in psychiatric patients globally. In this study, we assessed for the first time the prevalence of T. gondii infection in psychiatric patients and healthy individuals with no known psychiatric disorders in Western Romania. Materials and Methods: The presence of specific IgG anti-T. gondii antibodies was evaluated in 308 psychiatric patients and 296 control subjects using a chemiluminescence assay. Results: Overall, the seroprevalence of IgG antibodies was higher in psychiatric patients (67.86%; 209/308), compared with the control group (54.05%; 160/296) (p < 0.001). Our results revealed a significantly higher prevalence of T. gondii antibodies among patients with schizophrenia (69.77%), organic (personality and behaviour) disorders (76.74%), and mental disorders concerning alcohol abuse (84.62%), compared with the control group (p = 0.009, p = 0.005, p = 0.043, respectively). Conclusions: This study provides new and important information on the seroprevalence of T. gondii in Romanian psychiatric patients and may serve for further scientific research regarding the status of T. gondii infection in patients with psychiatric disorders.

Toxoplasma gondii infection in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematous diseases: serological and molecular evidence.

This study aimed to determine Toxoplasma gondii infection in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients in Mazandaran Province, north of Iran. During April 2019 to February 2020, 305 patients with RA (N=272) and SLE (N=33) diseases are included in this cross-sectional study. The baseline data of patients were collected into a questionnaire. Also, blood sample was taken from each patient in tubes containing k2-EDTA as anticoagulant for serological and molecular analyses. The presence of specific IgG antibody against T. gondii in plasma was explored using ELISA method. DNA was extracted and conventional-PCR method was done using RE primers on buffy coat samples. Anti-Toxoplasma IgG were detected among 105/272 RA (38.6%) and 11/33 (33%) SLE patients (P=0.55). IgG seropositivity was more common in females (95.70%) than in males (4.30%) and in 51-60 years old patients (37.10%) in rural populations (62.07%). Also, seropositivity was higher in patients who kept cats (93.95%). Keeping cats and patient's age were two studied risk factors which had significant relations with T. gondii seropositivity in patients (P<0.05). Overall, T. gondii DNA was found in 60 of 305 (19.7%) of enrolled patients, whether serology positive or negative (P<0.0001). Given the RA and SLE patients can be considered as a risk group for toxoplasmosis, in addition to the serological test, PCR based techniques is recommended for early and accurate detection of recent T. gondii infection.

Increased Risk of Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Patients with Colorectal Cancer in Eastern China: Seroprevalence, Risk Factors, and a Case-Control Study.

The aim of this study was to explore the epidemiology of Toxoplasma gondii infection in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) in eastern China. Therefore, 287 primary CRC patients and 287 age-matched healthy control subjects were recruited to estimate the seroprevalence of T. gondii and identify the risk factors of infection. Enzyme-linked immunoassays were used to test for anti-T. gondii immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgM antibodies. Forty-six (16%) samples were positive for anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies in patients with CRC, compared with 26 (9.1%) in the healthy controls, a significant difference (P = 0.007). By contrast, eight (2.8%) patients tested positive for T. gondii IgM antibodies, compared with three (1.1%) in the controls, a difference that was not significant (P = 0.13). Multivariable backward stepwise logistic regression analysis revealed that a rural residence (OR 2.83; 95% CI 1.15–7.01; P = 0.024) and treatment with chemotherapy (OR 2.16; 95% CI 1.02–4.57; P = 0.045) were risk factors for T. gondii infection in patients with CRC. Thus, T. gondii infection is serious in patients with CRC, and a rural residence and treatment with chemotherapy are independent risk factors for infection by this parasite. Therefore, medical professionals should be aware of this pathogen in patients with CRC, and the causes of T. gondii infection in these patients need to be explored further.

Toxoplasma gondii infection in patients with lung diseases in Shandong province, eastern China

Toxoplasma gondii, an intracellular protozoan parasite, can induce various clinical symptoms. T. gondii has been considered to play an important role in the pathogenesis of lung diseases. This survey was conducted to explore the correlation between T. gondii infection and lung diseases through a case-control study carried out in Shandong province, eastern China. In the present survey, T. gondii IgG antibodies were found in 76/398 (19.10%) of patients with lung diseases, which was significantly higher (P < 0.001) than the level found in the control subjects (35/398; 8.79%) through serological diagnosis. Patients with lung cancer have the highest T. gondii seroprevalence (26.19%), followed by Pulmonary cyst (25.00%), Tuberculosis (17.07%), Pneumonia (16.33%) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (16.05%). Moreover, a semi-nest PCR targeted T. gondii B1 gene was employed to detect the T. gondii DNA in the blood samples. T. gondii DNA was detected in 5.53% blood samples of patients with lung diseases and 2.51% control subjects, respectively. The present study firstly shows that T. gondii has a high probability to infect the patients with lung diseases. Thus, the potential presence of T. gondii in patients with lung diseases should be appreciated during in the course of treatment and safeguard procedures should be implemented to protect vulnerable patients with lung diseases.

Evaluation of Serological and Molecular Tests Used for the Identification of Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Patients Treated in an Ophthalmology Clinic of a Public Health Service in São Paulo State, Brazil.

Ocular toxoplasmosis is one of the most common complications caused by the infection with the parasite Toxoplasma gondii. The risk of developing eye lesions and impaired vision is considered higher in Brazil than other countries. The clinical diagnosis is difficult and the use of sensitive and specific laboratorial methods can aid to the correct diagnosis of this infection. We compared serological methods ELISA and ELFA, and molecular cPCR, Nested PCR and qPCR for the diagnosis of T. gondii infection in groups of patients clinically evaluated with ocular diseases non-toxoplasma related (G1 = 185) and with lesions caused by toxoplasmosis (G2 = 164) in an Ophthalmology clinic in Brazil. Results were compared by the Kappa index, and sensitivity (S), specificity (E), positive predictive value (PPV), and negative (NPV) were calculated. Serologic methods were in agreement with ELISA more sensitive and ELFA more specific to characterize the acute and chronic infections while molecular methods were discrepant where qPCR presented higher sensitivity, however, lower specificity when compared to cPCR and Nested PCR.

Seroepidemiological survey of Toxoplasma gondii infection in patients with gynecological malignant tumors

To investigate the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in patients with gynecological malignant tumors, so as to provide the evidence for the control of T. gondii infections in the patients with gynecological malignant tumors. A total of 327 patients with gynecological malignant tumors were recruited, and 200 women with normal healthy examinations were served as controls. The serum anti-T. gondii IgG and IgM antibodies were detected by using ELISA, and the seroprevalence was compared between the patients and controls, and among various types of cancers. The overall seroprevalence of T. gondii was 26.91% (88/327) in the patients with gynecological malignant tumors, which was significantly higher than that (5.00%) in the healthy volunteers (χ2 = 39.36, P<0.01) . The prevalence of anti-T. gondii IgG antibody in the cancer patients was significantly higher than that in the controls (26.30% vs. 5.00%; χ2 = 37.79, P<0.01), while the prevalence of anti-T. gondii IgM antibody in the cancer patients was not significantly different from that in the controls (0.92% vs. 0; corrected χ2 = 0.58, P > 0.01) . The positive rates of anti-T. gondii IgG antibody were 27.68%, 25.47% and 25.69% in ovarian cancer, cervical cancer, and breast cancer patients respectively, which were all significantly higher than those in the controls (χ2 = 32.35, 27.32 and 28.00; all P values<0.01); however, there was no significant difference among the various types of cancer patients in the positive rates of anti-T. gondii IgG antibody (χ2 = 0.17, P > 0.05) . In addition, the positive rates of anti-T. gondii IgM antibody were 1.79%, 0 and 0.92% in ovarian cancer, cervical cancer and breast cancer patients respectively, which was not significantly different from those in the controls (all P values > 0.05). The seroprevalence of T. gondii infection is high in the patients with gynecological malignant tumors. It is suggested that the prevention and control of T. gondii infection should be strengthened in these patients.

Seroepidemiology of Toxoplasma gondii infection in patients with liver disease in eastern China.

The role of the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii in the pathogenesis of liver disease has recently gained much interest. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with T. gondii infection in patients with liver disease from three cities in Shandong and Henan provinces, China. A case-control study was conducted from December 2014 to November 2015 and included 1142 patients with liver disease and 1142 healthy controls. Serum samples were collected from all individuals and were examined with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the presence of anti-T. gondii IgG and IgM antibodies. Information on the demographics, clinical, and lifestyle characteristics of the participants was collected from the medical records and by the use of a questionnaire. The prevalence of anti-T. gondii IgG was 19·7% in patients with liver disease compared with 12·17% in the controls. Only 13 patients had anti-T. gondii IgM antibodies compared with 12 control individuals (1·14% vs. 1·05%, respectively). The highest seroprevalence was detected in patients with liver cancer (22·13%), followed by hepatitis patients (20·86%), liver cirrhosis patients (20·42%), and steatosis patients (20%). Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that consumption of raw meat (odds ratio (OR) = 1·32; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1·01-1·71; P = 0·03) and source of drinking water from wells (OR = 1·56; 95% CI 1·08-2·27; P = 0·01) were independent risk factors for T. gondii infection in liver disease patients. These findings indicate that T. gondii infection is more likely to be present in patients with liver disease. Therefore, efforts should be directed toward health education of populations at high risk of T. gondii infection and measures should be taken to protect vulnerable patients with liver disease.

Is there a relationship between Toxoplasma gondii immunoglobulin G seropositivity and idiopathic Parkinson’s disease and does it have a correlation with serum cortisol level?

Background Some research studies linked latent toxoplasmosis and psychiatric diseases. Now the main interest is the probable relation between toxoplasmosis and neurological diseases such as epilepsy and Parkinson’s disease. Aim The aim of this study was to detect the incidence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in patients with idiopathic Parkinson’s disease and correlate it to their blood level of cortisol. Patients and methods This study was conducted on 30 idiopathic Parkinson’s patients, 30 psychiatric patients, and 30 apparently healthy individuals. All participants were administered a questionnaire and subjected to detection of anti-Toxoplasma immunoglobulin M, anti-Toxoplasma immunoglobulin G (IgG), and cortisol blood level using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results Of the 90 cases, 41.11 and 1.11% were positive for anti-Toxoplasma IgG and IgM, respectively. The highest percentage of positive anti-Toxoplasma IgG cases was in the healthy group (46.67%) followed by the Parkinson’s disease group (43.3%). The mean cortisol level was higher in the Parkinson’s group than in other groups but still within normal levels. Contact with cats, drinking unfiltered water, and consuming unwashed raw vegetables were significantly higher in Toxoplasma IgG seropositive Parkinson’s patients. Highest percentage of anti-Toxoplasma IgG-positive cases in the Parkinson’s group was detected in stage 3 of the disease. Conclusion There is a high Toxoplasma seropositivity in association with Parkinson’s disease. T. gondii oocysts may be the most probable main cause of infection in idiopathic Parkinson’s patients, which may worsen the disease. Cortisol level was higher in Parkinson’s patients with no relationship with T. gondii seropositivity.

Association between anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies and schizophrenia and psychotic bipolar in patients hospitalized in the psychiatric ward

Background Toxoplasmosis is caused by an intracellular parasite and is a worldwide disease. In laboratory, the parasites that cause the disease increases levels of dopamine in the brain tissue of treated mice. The evidence showed that dopamine releasing in the nucleus accumbens by activating the retro hippocampal region can disrupt the fornix section of brain as evolve to develop a psychosis in human. Methods This retrospective case-control study was conducted in patients with schizophrenia and psychotic bipolar referred to psychiatric clinic in Amir Kabir hospital, Arak. After psychiatric diagnosis of patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, 2ml of blood samples were acquired from 76 patients and 75 controls without any psychotic illness or bipolar disorder and other mental illnesses with safety issues. The serum of samples was separated in laboratory and was kept until the time of testing at -20 degrees C. After collecting all the samples; Anti-Toxoplasma IgG on the case and control samples were analysed by ELISA. Results were analysed by SPSS software version 16 and were calculated by chi 2 tests. Results 55.26 per cent of patients (42 persons) were infected with Toxoplasma gondii and in the control group 36 per cent (27 patients) were infected, that the different between them was significant (p<0/05). Toxoplasmosis in psychotic men was more than psychotic women significantly (p<0/05). Toxoplasma gondii infection in patients with schizophrenia with psychotic bipolar patients showed no significant difference. Conclusion Patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder showed significantly higher rate than healthy people against Toxoplasma gondii infection. Whether prevention of infection with these parasites is effective in reducing the risk of psychosis requires further investigation.

Toxoplasma gondii infection in patients with schizophrenia

Background and Objectives: Schizophrenia is a complex chronic neuropsychiatric disease of the central nervous system, believed to have multiple etiologies. Toxoplasma gondii has emerged as an interesting candidate as a possible cause of some cases of schizophrenia. As there is scarce information about the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection in psychiatric patients in Erbil; we investigated the seroprevalence of T.gondii in schizophrenic patients and compared with that obtained from control individuals in Erbil correlated with inflammatory marker C-reactive protein. Method: This case control study included 93 schizophrenic patients seeking medical advice at Hawler Psychiatric Hospital and private clinics with 93 non psychiatric control were screened for the presence of anti-toxoplasma IgG, IgM (by ELISA test) and C-reactive protein using qualitative methods. A questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic and behavioral data among the respondents. Results: In chronic cases anti-Toxoplasma gondii IgG antibodies were seropositive in 30/93 (32.3%) of the schizophrenic patients and 4/93(4.3%) of control (P

Study of Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Patients with Bipolar Disorder

Study of Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Patients with Bipolar Disorder

Seroepidemiology of Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Patients with Vision and Hearing Impairments, Cancer, HIV, or Undergoing Hemodialysis in Durango, Mexico

Toxoplasma gondii infection may cause a variety of symptoms involving virtually all organs. Little is known of the epidemiology of T. gondii infection in different patient groups in Mexico. We sought to determine the prevalence of T. gondii infection and associated epidemiological characteristics in 472 patients in Durango, Mexico. Participants were tested for T. gondii IgG and IgM antibodies. In addition, sociodemographic, clinical, and behavioral characteristics from each participant were obtained. Seroprevalences of T. gondii IgG antibodies were found in 7 (8.2%) of 85 patients with hearing impairment, 5 (10.0%) of 50 patients with hemodialysis, 28 (12.0%) of 234 patients with visual impairment, and 7 (6.8%) of 103 at risk of immunosuppression. In total, 47 (10%) of 472 subjects had IgG T. gondii antibodies; 6 (1.3%) of them also had IgM anti- T. gondii antibodies. Patients born in Durango State had a significantly lower prevalence of T. gondii infection than patients born in other Mexican states (9.0% vs. 21.4%, respectively; P < 0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that T. gondii infection was significantly associated with consumption of undercooked meat (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 2.95; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.18-7.35) or raw cow's milk (adjusted OR = 2.52; 95% CI: 1.28-4.96), presence of cats at home (adjusted OR = 2.01; 95% CI: 1.06-3.78), raising animals (adjusted OR = 2.44; 95% CI: 1.06-5.63), or eating away from home (adjusted OR = 2.70; 95% CI: 1.03-7.11). In the group of patients with visual impairment, those with reflex impairment had a significantly higher frequency of T. gondii infection than those with normal reflexes (19% vs. 9.4%, respectively: P = 0.04). Results of the present study are the first step in the design of prevention programs to avoid the sequelae of toxoplasmosis.

Toxoplasma gondii infection in patients with hematological malignancies.

Toxoplasmosis is one of the most common parasitic infections in humans, but in most cases it does not cause serious illness; this protozoan can nevertheless cause devastating disease in immunocompromised hosts such as HIV-positive individuals. Only rarely is toxoplasmosis documented in hematological patients, and among them, those who undergo a transplant procedure are more frequently affected. In a retrospective multicenter survey, we collected data on six cases of toxoplasmosis in hematological patients. In the majority of cases, patients had undergone transplant procedures (five had undergone autologous or allogeneic transplantation). This complication needed special care in diagnosis, usually based on serology, neuroradiology, and PCR examination. However, in our experience the appropriate therapeutic approach was successful in the majority of cases.

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

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.