Immunofluorescence tests for toxoplasmosis in patients with AIDS

In this paper, we present the experience with total immunoglobulin and IgM immunofluorescence tests for toxoplasmosis in 1.050 serum or cerebrospinal fluid samples from 450 patients of Sao Paulo, Brazil, with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). The antibody anti-Toxoplasma gondii prevalence among patients positive to anti-HIV antibody was studied. The results showed 69.1% and 47.3% total immunoglobulin antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii in serum and cerebrospinal fluid; 2.8% serum samples revealed IgM antibodies to T. gondii . Patients with clinical features of toxoplasmosis had total immunoglobulin antibodies in 61.2% cerebrospinal samples examined. From patients who had titer of total immunoglobulin antibodies to T. gondii in serum samples greater than or equal to 1,024 we found 80.0% concomitant positivity in cerebrospinal fluid samples.