What causes cerebral toxoplasmosis?

Cerebral toxoplasmosis is usually caused by reactivation of the latent cystic form of T. gondii in the central nervous system (CNS) and it as a major cause of morbidity and mortality among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected patients, particularly in developing countries.

Can toxoplasmosis cause brain lesions?

Cerebral toxoplasmosis is the most common cause of expansive brain lesions in people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) and continues to cause high morbidity and mortality.

Can cerebral toxoplasmosis cured?

1 The disease is treatable, most patients making a full recovery, but it is fatal if untreated. Pyrimethamine plus sulfadiazine, trimethoprim plus sulfamethoxazole, clindamycin plus pyrimethamine,2 and clarithromycin plus pyrimethamine are used to treat cerebral toxoplasmosis.

How common is cerebral toxoplasmosis?

Clinical CNS toxoplasmosis occurs in 3-15% of patients with AIDS in the United States. Some clinically silent lesions come to diagnosis only at autopsy. Clinical CNS toxoplasmosis occurs in as many as 50-75% of patients in some European countries and in Africa.

How does toxoplasmosis affect the central nervous system?

Central nervous system (CNS) toxoplasmosis is an opportunistic infection caused by the intracellular protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii. This parasite may be acquired in utero or through the ingestion of infected meat or cat feces, as cats are its definitive host.

Can a pregnant woman get cerebral toxoplasmosis?

Cerebral toxoplasmosis with necrotizing encephalitis can occur if latent infection is reactivated in the brain of an immunosuppressed pregnant woman. Cerebral toxoplasmosis is considered the most common opportunistic infection in AIDS.

What is the differential diagnosis of cerebral toxoplasmosis?

The differential diagnosis favored a hematogenously disseminated process such as infection (eg, toxoplasmosis, fungal disease, tuberculosis, or pyogenic abscess) or metastatic disease. In immunocompromised patients, toxoplasmosis and lymphoma are the main considerations. Despite aggressive antimicrobial treatment, the patient died of complications.

What causes a fetus to be born with toxoplasmosis?

Toxoplasmosis is caused by infection with the parasite Toxoplasma gondii. It is one of the most common parasitic infections in humans and is most typically asymptomatic. However, primary infection in a pregnant woman can cause severe and disabling disease in the developing fetus.