An immunology survey of toxoplasmosis in a rural Kenyan population
Abstract
This study extended over a period of 9 months from August
• 1990 to April 1991 454 patients were recruited at random for
this study from 4 health facilities in Kiambu. The patients
were grouped by both age and sex into defined groups:
1. Non-pregnant adult females of reproductive age (15
years-to 50 years.
2. Adult males (15 to 50 years)
3. Elderly females (over 50 years)
4. Elderly males (over 50 years)
5. Blood donor females (16 - 22 years)
6. Blood donor males (16 - 22 years)
7. Antenatal females
8. Children (males) 3 - 15 years
9. Children (females) 3 - 15 years
Blood was collected from each patient from who, demographic
and epidemiological information was also recorded on a
questionnaire. Serum was separated and each sample was
subjected to the following tests:
1. Toxoplasma ELISA test.
2. Toxoplasma Immunofluorescence test.
3. HIV-ELISA test.
Analysis of the serological data revealed that there was a
ELISA serology. The sero-prevalence was slightly higher in
high agreement in results of Toxoplasma IFAT and Toxoplasma
males than females and was observed to increase with age in
both sexes. The titre of antibody was estimated to decline
PAGE 70
with age.
Dr. Rubina Cocker
As demonstrated in this study, there is a likelihood of some
tox...oplasma sero-positives (immunes) losing their antibody
with time and reverting to sero-negatives. It was also
evident that in Kiambu the most likely mode of transmission
is through oocysts, although other possibilities could not
be entirely ruled out.
The study demonstrated that the risk of meterno-fetal
transmission of toxoplasmosis was highest in the young
antenatals of age 15 to 19 years and the risk decreases with
age of the antenatal. It was also shown that HIV-AIDS seroprevalence
was high in the study area.The possibility of a
reactivated toxoplasma infection in some HIV sero-positive
patients, who were also toxoplasma antibody sero-positive,
should be considered seriously.
It was demonstrated that screening of patients in Kiambu for
toxoplasma antibody by either IFAT or ELISA is a medically
important procedure. This is especially applicable to young
antenatals and HIV sero-positive patients, in whom, the risk
of materno-fetal transmission and reactivation of latent
toxoplasma infection respectively, is high. A toxoplasma
control centre which not only screens the population in
Kiambu for the infection, but also illlplementsstray cat
control is proposed, in order to combat the grave
consequences of this clinically rare though important
disease.
Citation
Cocker, R. S(1991). A immunology survey of toxoplasmosis in a rural Kenyan populationPublisher
College of Health Sciences, University of Nairobi
Description
Master of medicine thesis