Toxoplasma gondii pneumonitis in patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus

Arch Intern Med. 1992 May;152(5):1073-7.

Abstract

Pulmonary toxoplasmosis is a rarely recognized opportunistic infection in immunocompromised patients. A few case reports have described pulmonary toxoplasmosis in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients in association with Toxoplasma gondii central nervous system disease. We encountered six cases of pulmonary toxoplasmosis in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients who presented with a protracted febrile illness, respiratory symptoms, and an abnormal chest roentgenogram in the absence of neurologic findings. No clinical or roentgenographic features distinguished T gondii pneumonitis from more common opportunistic pulmonary infections. As the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome epidemic progresses, the presenting illnesses have evolved. Toxoplasma gondii must be considered a potential cause of pulmonary disease during the evaluation of human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients with respiratory symptoms.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / complications*
  • Adult
  • Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / parasitology
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Opportunistic Infections / complications*
  • Opportunistic Infections / diagnosis
  • Pneumonia / diagnosis
  • Pneumonia / parasitology*
  • Pneumonia, Pneumocystis / epidemiology
  • Toxoplasmosis / complications*
  • Toxoplasmosis / diagnosis
  • Toxoplasmosis / epidemiology