SEROEPIDEMIOLOGIC SURVEY OF TOXOPLASMA-GONDII INFECTION IN ETHIOPIA

In Ethiopia the prevalence of IgG antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii has been determined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). One t housand and sixteen sera collected in six different geographical regio ns were analyzed. Antibody titres > 15 IU/ml were detected in 74.4% of the specimens, titres exceeding 200 IU/ml in one third of the ELISA-p ositive sera. The highest antibody titres were found in children and 7 5% of young adults had sero-converted. As infection with the human imm unodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) frequently leads to a resurgence of toxo plasmosis, the diagnosis of T. gondii encephalitis should be considere d in the clinical management of the HIV-immunocompromised Ethiopian pa tients.