Jessieabout 6 years ago

Neurotoxoplasmosis

Neurotoxoplasmosis, also know as cerebral toxoplasmosis, is an opportunistic infection, caused by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii, which typically affects patients with HIV/AIDS, and is the most common cause of cerebral abscess in these patients. In immunocompetent patients, acute encephalitis is extremely rare. Even in the immunocompromised symptoms are typically vague and indolent. Development of new neurological symptoms in these patients should raise high suspicion of cerebral toxoplasmosis. Toxoplasma gondii is an intracellular parasite that infects birds and mammals. It’s definitive host is the cat and other Felidae species. Excretion of oocytes in its faecal content followed by human contaminated uncooked consumption can lead to human infection. In immunocompetent individuals, it primarily causes a subclinical or asymptomatic infection. In immunocompromised individuals (e.g. AIDS patients), toxoplasmosis is the most common cause of a brain abscess.