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.
Dannemann
B R
BR
Research Institute, Palo Alto Medical Foundation Research Institute, CA 94301.
Israelski
D M
DM
Leoung
G S
GS
McGraw
T
T
Mills
J
J
Remington
J S
JS
D000818:Animals; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000097:blood; D000953:Antigens, Protozoan / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology / Q000469:parasitology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009894:Opportunistic Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology / Q000469:parasitology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D014122:Toxoplasma / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016781:Toxoplasmosis, Cerebral / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology / Q000469:parasitology
D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan; D000953:Antigens, Protozoan