Purpose: 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.
Materials and 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.
