Neurotoxoplasmosis in patients with human immunodeficiency syndrome: literature review

Abstract

Objective: To correlate the therapeutic diagnostic management of Neurotoxoplasmosis to the outcome of morbidity and mortality in individuals with Human Immunodeficiency Syndrome. Bibliographic review: Toxoplasmosis is a disease caused by Toxoplasma gondii, intracellular parasite sown by Brazil, which can install itself and generate infectivity to  Central Nervous System (CNS). Due the marked immunodeficiency of  pathophysiological dynamism of HIV, these individuals are unable control the expansion and differentiation of the pathogen, allowing reactivation and less frequently an acute infection with repercussions in the CNS such as headache, mental confusion, seizures and changes in strength. As an essential pillar of the diagnosis, the epidemiological clinical history is based on the Magnetic Resonance of the Skull with hypo/isodense lesion with annular contrast uptake and mass effect exerted. Final considerations: From this perspective, with the greater ease of access to Antiretroviral Therapy today, it is possible to observe, over the years, a significant drop in the incidence of neurotoxoplasmosis in Brazil. However, neurotoxoplasmosis is still a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in immunosuppressed patients, and it is important to recognize, be able to diagnose and treat this pathogeny effectively, since time interval between diagnosis and the beginning of treatment is a determining factor in morbidity and mortality.