Neospora caninum and toxoplasma gondii serodiagnosis in human immunodefi ciency virus carriers

Abstract

Introduction: Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii belong to the Sarcocystidae family, and both have one defi nitive and various intermediary hosts. Owing to their weak immune systems, immunocompromised persons might be prone to opportunistic infections. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of anti-N. caninum and anti-T. gondii antibodies in immunocompromised individuals. Methods: This cross-sectional study investigated the rates of N. caninum and T. gondii, as assessed using immunofl uorescent antibody reaction (IFAT) with 1:50 and 1:16 dilution, respectively, in patients with human immunodefi ciency virus (HIV). Results: The seropositivity for N. caninum was 26.1% (81/310) in Mato Grosso do Sul and 31.2% (10/32) in Paraná and for T. gondii was 76.8% (238/310) in Mato Grosso do Sul and 68.7% (22/32) in Paraná. Conclusions: There is evidence of anti-N caninum and anti-T. gondii antibodies in patients with HIV. Other aspects of T. gondii, which is a zoonosis, and N. caninum, which might affect immunodefi cient individuals, need to be evaluated and reported.