Evaluation of the Eiken latex agglutination test for anti-Toxoplasma antibodies and seroprevalence of Toxoplasma infection among factory workers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Sera from 170 factory workers aged 18-45 year enrolled in a pilot study of human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) infection in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, were screened for and-Toxoplasma immunoglobulin G antibodies by the Sabin-F eldman rest (reference standard) and the Eiken latex agglutination test (un der evaluation for use in developing countries). Based on the Sabin-Feldman rest, the prevalence of anti-Toxoplasma antibodies was 80.0% (95% confiden ce interval 73.9-86.1%). The sensitivity and specificity of the Eiken latex agglutination test were 96.3% and 97.1%, respectively, showing in validity for the detection of anti-Toxoplasma antibodies. The prevalence of antibod ies did not differ between individuals infected and uninfected with HIV-1 ( 74.2% versus 83.3%, P > 0.05). However, antibody dues were higher in HIV-in fected persons than in those who were uninfected (P < 0.001). Based on thes e findings, we expect that toxoplasmic encephalitis will be a common opport unistic infection among HIV-infected Ethiopians, and chemoprophylaxis with co-trimoxazole may be beneficial to those with low CD4+ T cell counts. The prognostic significance of high dues of and-Toxoplasma antibodies remains t o be established among Ethiopian HIV-infected individuals.