Background: Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii)
is an intracellular parasite mainly found in the central nervous system CNS,
however, it can persist in multiple tissues in the body. Moreover, T. gondii is
the commonest protozoans causing infections among individuals with acquired
immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Thus, the aim of this study was to
investigate the frequency of T. gondii infection among AIDS patients in Makkah
at Saudi Arabia. Methods: Fifty patients with AIDS proved to be positive by
ULTRA HIV Ag-Ab Enzyme Immunoassay, and thirty healthy volunteers negative for
AIDS by ULTRA HIV Ag-Ab Enzyme Immunoassay were subjected to determination of
anti T. gondii immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibody seropositivity and anti T.
gondii immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody seropositivity using commercially
available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. Results: The results showed
that the seropositivity rate of anti T. gondii IgM antibodies among AIDS
patients (18%) was significantly higher than in the healthy volunteers group
(3.33%). Regarding the serum level of anti T. gondii IgG antibodies among AIDS
patients, it was 30% significantly higher compared with those of the
seropositive healthy volunteers (6.67%). Conclusions: These statistically
significant results support the association between T. gondii infection and
AIDS and suggest the usefulness of providing data for an educational program
that will be designed to prevent T. gondii infection among AIDS patients.
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