Table Of Contents
Toxoplasmosis
Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan that takes refuge in the brain mucosa. Causes symptoms similar to a brain abscess due to multiple space-occupying lesions.
- Signs and symptoms
- Fever
- Headache
- Confusion
- Focal neurological deficits (weakness, palsies, paralysis)
- Investigations
- CT or MRI:
- Ring-enhancing lesions (similar to brain abscess)
- T.gondii serology (IgG and IgM): most accurate with a positive imaging test
- CT or MRI:
- Treatment
- Pyrimethamine AND sulfadiazine for 6 weeks + leucovorin
- Pyrimethamine AND clindamycin (if patient has sulfur allergy) for 6 weeks + leucovorin
- Trimethroprim AND sulphamethoxazole for 4 weeks
- Prophylaxis
- TMP/SMX for CD4 < 200
- Dapsone AND Atovaquone