Pulmonary toxoplasmosis, a rare but severe manifestation of a common opportunistic infection in late HIV presenters: report of two cases

H Kovari; C Ebnöther; A Schweiger; N Berther; H Kuster; H F Günthard

doi:10.1007/s15010-009-9367-5

Pulmonary toxoplasmosis, a rare but severe manifestation of a common opportunistic infection in late HIV presenters: report of two cases

Infection. 2010 Apr;38(2):141-4. doi: 10.1007/s15010-009-9367-5. Epub 2010 Mar 29.

Authors

H Kovari¹, C Ebnöther, A Schweiger, N Berther, H Kuster, H F Günthard

Affiliation

¹ Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland. [email protected]

Abstract

Pulmonary toxoplasmosis is rare, particularly in the era of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Here, we describe two severe cases in patients not known to be HIV-infected. In both patients, early diagnosis and therapy led to a favourable outcome. Pulmonary toxoplasmosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis in potentially HIV-infected patients with respiratory symptoms.

Publication types

Case Reports

MeSH terms

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / parasitology*
AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / pathology
Adult
Antiprotozoal Agents / therapeutic use
Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / parasitology
CD4 Lymphocyte Count
HIV Infections / complications*
HIV Infections / diagnosis*
Humans
Lung Diseases / parasitology*
Lung Diseases / pathology
Male
Microscopy
RNA, Viral / blood
Radiography, Thoracic
Tomography
Toxoplasmosis / diagnosis*
Toxoplasmosis / parasitology
Treatment Outcome

Substances

Antiprotozoal Agents
RNA, Viral