Toxoplasma encephalitis in Haitian adults with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome: a clinical-pathologic-CT correlation. NLM AIDSLINE Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1983. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

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Toxoplasma encephalitis in Haitian adults with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome: a clinical-pathologic-CT correlation.

AJR Am J Roentgenol. 1983 May;140(5):861-8. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE MED/83175270
Post MJ; Chan JC; Hensley GT; Hoffman TA; Moskowitz LB; Lippmann S

Abstract: The clinical data, histologic findings, and computed tomographic (CT) abnormalities in eight adult Haitians with toxoplasma encephalitis were analyzed retrospectively. Diagnosis was established by identification of Toxoplasma gondii on autopsy in five and brain biopsy in three specimens and subsequently confirmed by the immunoperoxidase method. All these patients, six of whom had been in the United States for 24 months or less, had severe idiopathic immunodeficiency syndrome. All were lymphopenic and six were on treatment for tuberculosis when the toxoplasma encephalitis developed. All patients were studied with CT when they developed an altered mental status and fever associated with seizures and/or focal neurologic deficits. Scans before treatment showed multiple intraparenchymal lesions in seven and a single lesion in the thalamus in one. Ring and/or nodular enhancement of the lesions was found in six and hypodense areas in two. Progression of abnormalities occurred on serial studies. These CT findings that were best shown on axial and coronal thin-section double-dose contrast studies were useful but not diagnostically pathognomonic. In patients with similar clinical presentation CT is recommended to identify focal areas of involvement and to guide brain biopsy or excision so that prompt medical therapy of this often lethal infection can be instituted.
Keywords: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/*COMPLICATIONS/PATHOLOGY/ RADIOGRAPHY Adult Encephalitis/*COMPLICATIONS/PATHOLOGY/RADIOGRAPHY Female Haiti/ETHNOLOGY Human Male Middle Age Retrospective Studies *Tomography, X-Ray Computed Toxoplasmosis/*COMPLICATIONS/PATHOLOGY/RADIOGRAPHY JOURNAL ARTICLE

KWDacquiredimmunodeficiencysyndrome/KWDcomplications/pathology/radiographyadultencephalitis/KWDcomplications/pathology/radiographyfemalehaiti/ethnologyhumanmalemiddleageretrospectivestudiesKWDtomography,x-raycomputedtoxoplasmosis/KWDcomplications/pathology/radiographyjournalarticle
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M8370032

Copyright © 1983 - National Library of Medicine. Reproduced under license with the National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, MD.

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