title: Evaluation of the Eiken latex agglutination test for anti-Toxoplasma antibodies and seroprevalence of Toxoplasma infection among factory workers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
abstract: Sera from 170 factory workers aged 18-45 years enrolled in a pilot study of human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) infection in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, were screened for anti-Toxoplasma immunoglobulin G antibodies by the Sabin-Feldman test (reference standard) and the Eiken latex agglutination test (under evaluation for use in developing countries). Based on the Sabin-Feldman test, the prevalence of anti-Toxoplasma antibodies was 80.0% (95% confidence interval 73.9-86.1%). The sensitivity and specificity of the Eiken latex agglutination test were 96.3% and 97.1%, respectively, showing its validity for the detection of anti-Toxoplasma antibodies. The prevalence of antibodies did not differ between individuals infected and uninfected with HIV-1 (74.2% versus 83.3%, P > 0.05). However, antibody titres were higher in HIV-infected persons than in those who were uninfected (P < 0.001). Based on these findings, we expect that toxoplasmic encephalitis will be a common opportunistic infection among HIV-infected Ethiopians, and chemoprophylaxis with co-trimoxazole may be beneficial to those with low CD4+ T cell counts. The prognostic significance of high titres of anti-Toxoplasma antibodies remains to be established among Ethiopian HIV-infected individuals.
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious and Non-Infectious Diseases, Ethiopian Health and Nutrition Research Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Woldemichael
authors.forename: A L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Fontanet
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sahlu
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Gilis
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Messele
authors.forename: T F
authors.initials: TF
authors.lastname: Rinke de Wit
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yeneneh
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Coutinho
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Van Gool
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000032:analysis*; D005002:Ethiopia / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D015528:HIV Seroprevalence; D006801:Humans; D007841:Latex Fixation Tests / Q000592:standards*; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D018881:Suburban Health; D014122:Toxoplasma / Q000276:immunology*; D014123:Toxoplasmosis / Q000453:epidemiology*
chemical_list: D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan