Jm. Morvan et al., Toxoplasmosis at the Institut Pasteur, Bangui, Central African Republic (1996-1998): Serological data., B S PATH EX, 92(3), 1999, pp. 157-160
A serological study of toxoplasmosis was conducted between 1996 and 1998 on
1953 patients of the Medical Analysis Laboratory of the institut Pasteur d
e Bangui. The mean age of patients was 28 years. Among sera tested by ELISA
, seropositivity to IgG antibodies was observed in 50.6%, and 2.6% sera wer
e found positive for IgM antitoxoplasma antibodies (immuno-capture). The se
roprevalence did not vary significantly according tosex or age. The results
showed 40.8% sera had IgG antibodies titered 400 Ul/ml and more. The propo
rtion of high level (> 400 Ul) IgG was more important in males than in fema
les. High level IgG antibodies were statistically significant more frequent
ly in the sera of females aged 10-29 years. Of the procreative women, 49.1%
were at risk of contacting toxoplasmosis. The diagnosis of recently acquir
ed infection, based on the coexistence of IgM antibodies and high level IgG
antibodies, was noted in 1.6% among sera of procreative women. In the Cent
ral African Republic, serologic survey during pregnancy is not systematic a
nd HIV seroprevalence is high (15%). Risks of acute infections during pregn
ancy and of opportunistic infections in HIV-infection patients are high. A
control of toxoplasmosis is justifiable (screening during pregnancy sanitar
y education) in CAR.