Cerebral Toxoplasmosis in an HIV-Negative Patient: A Case Report

Abstract

Introduction: Toxoplasmosis is caused by infection with the obligate intracellular parasite Toxoplasma gondii. Toxoplasmosis is generally a late complication of HIV infection and usually occurs in patients with CD4+ T-cell counts below 200 cells/µL. Case Presentation: A case of cerebral toxoplasmosis is reported in a healthy 39-year-old woman who was admitted to hospital with the complaint of a headache. Gadolinium-enhanced brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed an irregular, ring enhancing, hyperintense lesion in the right temporoparietal lobe. Toxoplasma serology revealed raised IgG antibody levels. Based on the MRI features, biopsy, and serology, a diagnosis of cerebral toxoplasmosis was made. Conclusions: Cerebral toxoplasmosis can occur outside the setting of advanced HIV immunodeficiency or drug-induced immunosuppression. This highlights the fact that it should be considered in the differential diagnosis of opportunistic infections in HIVnegative patients.

Immunodiagnosis and molecular validation ofToxoplasma gondiiinfection among patients with end-stage renal disease undergoing haemodialysis

“…In people with strong immune systems, self-limited infections usually occur. In those with impaired immune systems, particularly patients with impaired cellular immune systems, there is a risk of infection recurrence or spread (Yazar et al ., 2003 a ; Macpherson, 2005; Arab-Mazar et al ., 2016 a , 2016 b ). Patients with malignancy, those undergoing kidney transplantation, patients treated with immunosuppressive drugs and haemodialysis patients with chronic renal failure are susceptible to Toxoplasma infection (Sibley et al ., 1985; Howe and Sibley, 1995; Yazar et al ., 2003 a ; Omrani et al ., 2015).…”

Possible Link Between Toxoplasma gondii Infection and Mood Disorders in Lorestan Province, Western Iran

“…Humans can be normally infected by three main routes: [i] ingestion of tissue cysts in raw/undercooked infected meat, [ii] ingestion of sporulated oocysts with food or water, and [iii] vertical transmission from mother to fetus across the placenta (2). Approximately 80% -90% of human T. gondii infections are usually asymptomatic; however, toxoplasmosis causes severe diseases and complications including lymphadenitis, congenital infection of fetuses, and life-threatening toxoplasmic encephalitis in immunocompromised individuals (3,4). After acute infection and during the chronic phase in the central nervous system (CNS), parasite cysts can affect neuronal cell biology and neurotransmitter synthesis, which might cause personality changes and psychotic disorders (5)(6)(7)(8).…”