Seroprevalence and Risk Factors of Toxoplasma gondii Infection Among HIV-Infected and HIV-Uninfected Adults in Benue State

Toxoplasma gondii seroprevalence among HIV-infected individuals has significant clinical implications, as reactivation of latent infection can cause life-threatening toxoplasmic encephalitis in those with advanced immunosuppression. This comparative cross-sectional study investigated T. gondii seroprevalence and associated risk factors among HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected adults attending a tertiary hospital in Makurdi, Benue State, North Central Nigeria. Serum samples from 200 HIV-positive and 200 HIV-negative adults matched for age and sex were tested for anti-T. gondii IgG and IgM using ELISA. CD4 count data were retrieved for HIV-positive participants. Structured questionnaires assessed dietary practices, cat ownership, and socioeconomic factors. IgG seroprevalence was 51.0 percent in HIV-positive participants compared to 38.5 percent in HIV-negative controls, a statistically significant difference. IgM was detected in 9.0 percent of HIV-positive participants, with all IgM-positive, HIV-positive individuals having CD4 counts below 200 cells per microlitre. Consumption of undercooked pork and cat ownership were the most significant risk factors in both groups. Among IgG-positive HIV patients with CD4 below 100, neurological symptoms were present in 26.3 percent. These findings support routine toxoplasmosis screening and cotrimoxazole prophylaxis in advanced HIV care protocols in Benue State. Keywords: Toxoplasma gondii, HIV, seroprevalence, toxoplasmic encephalitis, Benue State.