Toxoplasma gondii infection and cerebral toxoplasmosis in HIV-infected patients

Author(s)

Pereira-Chioccola, Vera Lucia ^[1] ; Vidal, Jose Ernesto ^{[2, 3]} ; Su, Chunlei ^[4]

Affiliation

^[1] Inst Adolfo Lutz Registro, Parasitol Lab, BR-01246902 Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] Inst Infectol Emilio Ribas, Dept Neurol, BR-05411000 Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[3] Univ Sao Paulo, Div Molestias Infecciosas & Parasitarias, Serv Extensao Ao Atendimento Pacientes HIV AIDS, Fac Med, Hosp Clin, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[4] Univ Tennessee, Dept Microbiol, Knoxville, TN 37996 - USA

• Document type: Review article
• Source: FUTURE MICROBIOLOGY; v. 4, n. 10, p. 1363-1379, DEC 2009.
• Web of Science Citations: 76

Abstract

Cerebral toxoplasmosis is a major cause of morbidity and mortality among HIV-infected patients, particularly from developing countries. This article summarizes current literature on cerebral toxoplasmosis. It focuses on: Toxoplasma gondii genetic diversity and its possible relationship with disease presentation; host responses to the parasite antigens; host immunosupression in HIV and cerebral toxoplasmosis as well as different diagnostic methods; clinical and radiological features; treatment; and the direction that studies on cerebral toxoplasmosis will likely take in the future. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 08/09311-0 - Laboratorial diagnosis of toxoplasmosis focusing on congenital and cerebral toxoplasmosis
• Grantee: Vera Lúcia Pereira Chioccola
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants