Toxoplasma gondii serology and stem cell transplantation in Chinese

We report the screening and monitoring results of toxoplasma activity in 602 cases of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in Chinese. A total of 13 recipients and 12 donors (including one donor-recipient pair) were serologically positive for toxoplasma, giving an incidence of 2.1% and 2.3%, respectively. All patients except those with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency received sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim (septrin) prophylaxis post-HSCT. None of the 292 deaths, including eight seropositive (either donor or recipient) cases, were attributable to toxoplasma. Only two of 16 seropositive survivors remained seropositive, while none of 60 seronegative cases (including six with G6PD deficiency) seroconverted. We concluded that in low incidence areas, toxoplasmosis is not a significant complication of HSCT with septrin prophylaxis. Most patients are also expected to remain seronegative after HSCT.