IgG--indirect fluorescent antibody technique to detect seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in immunocompetent and immunodeficient patients in southern districts of Tamil Nadu.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of the study was to determine the prevalence of Toxoplasma antibodies in selected immunocompetent and immunodeficient patients in and around Tirunelveli District of Tamil Nadu.


METHODS
This study was carried out from May 2006 to October 2007 in 175 immunodeficient and 175 immunocompetent patients. Serum samples were subjected into in-house IgG assay using indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT).


RESULTS
Out of 350 patients tested by IgG IFAT, 41 (11.71%) had antibodies for Toxoplasma gondii with a mean IFA titre of 43.42 ± 58.7 and the titre ranging from 1 : 16 to 1 : 256. Among the immunocompetent and immunodeficient groups, 19 patients (10.86%) and 22 patients (12.57%), respectively, had antibodies to T. gondii. Various risk factors associated within the study group was analysed and results were interpreted.


CONCLUSIONS
The study has highlighted an overall seroprevalence of 11.71% with 12.57% in immunocompromised and 10.86% in immunocompetent patients respectively in a southern district, Tamil Nadu, which underlines the importance of screening of this parasite especially in the immunocompromised patients.
Department of Microbiology, Tirunelveli Medical College, Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu, India. drgsucila@rediffmail.com
G
G
Sucilathangam
N
N
Palaniappan
C
C
Sreekumar
T
T
Anna
D000818:Animals; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007121:Immunocompetence; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood*; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D015597:Pregnancy Complications, Parasitic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D014122:Toxoplasma / Q000276:immunology*; D014123:Toxoplasmosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology
D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan; D007074:Immunoglobulin G