Asymptomatic diffuse “encephalitic” cerebral toxoplasmosis in a patient with chronic lymphocytic leukemia: case report and review of the literature

International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Pathology

Malak Abedalthagafi¹  David Garvin¹  Bruce Cheson¹  Metin Ozdemirli¹  Elisabeth J Rushing¹ 

关键词: Toxoplasmosis;    chronic lymphocytic leukemia;    central nervous system;    Toxoplasma;   

DOI  :  

学科分类：生理学与病理学

来源: e-Century Publishing Corporation

【 摘 要 】

Opportunistic infections account for the majority of central nervous system lesions in adult immunosuppressed patients. In this setting, toxoplasmosis typically manifests as multiple abscesses readily seen on routine neuroimaging studies. Asymptomatic, widely disseminated Toxoplasma cysts without parenchymal reaction are also recognized. In contrast, widespread parasites in the brain parenchyma with an inflammatory “encephalitic” reaction and little or no necrosis have been reported in only four patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). We describe a 70 year old male with stage IV chronic lymphocytic leukemia complicated by aplastic anemia. Neurological examination and imaging revealed no significant abnormalities. At autopsy, the brain revealed multifocal cysts and free tachyzoites of Toxoplasma gondii with diffuse microglial nodules and no necrosis. To the best of our knowledge, this case represents the first report of the “encephalitic” form of toxoplasmosis in a non-AIDS patient.

【 授权许可】

Unknown