Objective:

To determine the seroprevalence and risk factors for chronic infection by T. gondii in people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHA) in the department of Cochabamba.

Methods:

observational-descriptive cross-sectional study. 325 samples (n=325) of plasma/serum from patients who attended LABIMED between the months of July to August of the year 2016 were used. Data (age, gender and risk factors) were collected in the sociodemographic form. Qualitative serological tests of Indirect Hemaglutination (HAI) and Indirect Immunoflorescence (IFI) were used the latter for confirmation of positive cases. Additionally, the count of CD4+ T lymphocytes was performed by flow cytometry to determine the immunological status of the patients that serves as a guide in clinical treatment. The data were analyzed with the program/software SPSS version 20.

Results:

the global seroprevalence of chronic infection by T. gondii in the study population was 40%. Consumption of undercooked meat (AOR: 2.85; 95% CI: 1,56-5,22) and farming/gardening activity (AOR: 1,7; 95% CI: 1,07-2,70) were risk factors for chronic T. gondii infection. 45,6% of people living with the HIV/AIDS virus who are positive for toxoplasmosis have a CD4+ T lymphocyte count <200 cells/ml, equivalent to severe immunodeficiency.

Conclusions:

the study shows a significant seroprevalence of chronic infection by T. gondii, as well as presenting a high severe immunodeficiency in patients with the HIV/AIDS virus.

        · abstract in Spanish     · text in Spanish     · Spanish ( pdf )