Toxoplasma gondii em pacientes em tratamento para hepatite C, no sul do Brasil

Abstract

Toxoplasma gondii is an opportunistic protozoan which causes infections in individuals with the imune system compromised. This study aims to know the soroprevalence of T. gondii in patients submitted to the hepatitis C treatment in reference center in the south of Rio Grande do Sul, the probable effects of this kind of treatment in the immunity and the risk factors to the infection by this parasite. According to the knowledge from the authors, this was the first study with this patients’ category. It was done a prospective transversal study, with the total number of 57 patients who were monitored before and during the treatment in 24 or 48 week period, depending on the genotype and the virologic response. The antibody serological research of IgG type was done by the Indirect Immunofluorescence (IFI) technique and the IgM antibodies were detected by Electrochemiluminescense (ECLIA). The epidemiological data were obtained by a questionnaire application and the clinic data by analyzing the patients’ records, previously permitted. The soroprevalence to T. gondii was 75.4%. The seropositivity was significantly larger among the patients who have the habit to deal with the soil and/or sand (OR = 14,84) and with the lack of knowledge about the infection (OR =12,98). Although it doesn’t happened any case of illness reaggravating, the high seropositivity and the lack of knowledge which were noticed, demonstrate the necessity of monitoring patients under the treatment to the hepatitis C, once this infection and the drugs used can compromise the patients’ immunological response.