CNS toxoplasmosis presenting as hydrocephalus is a very rare entity. We present three cases of HIV positive patients whose brain imaging revealed hydrocephalus and who improved with anti toxoplasma medication along with intravenous steroids and did not require any CSF shunting procedures. The mechanism of hydrocephalus in CNS toxoplasmosis is usually due to compression of CSF outflow pathway by ring enhancing lesions but even in their absence hydrocephalus can be rarely seen due to ventriculitis. Hence in HIV positive patients with unexplained hydrocephalus CNS toxoplasmosis should be considered and such patients if started on treatment early have a good prognosis without requiring neurosurgical intervention.
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Cureus
December 2024
Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shalamar Medical and Dental College, Lahore, PAK.
Introduction Congenital malformations are a major cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality in developing countries and are assuming greater importance than ever before. They affect a variety of organ systems and various etiologies have been identified in literature including Toxoplasmosis, Other (syphilis, varicella-zoster, parvovirus B19), Rubella, Cytomegalovirus, Herpes Simplex (TORCH) infections, exposure to pollutants, consumption of tobacco and alcohol, and advanced maternal age. In developing countries, diagnosis is frequently delayed which leads to poorer outcomes.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPLoS Pathog
January 2025
Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America.
The intracellular protozoan Toxoplasma gondii manipulates host cell signaling to avoid targeting by autophagosomes and lysosomal degradation. Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) is a mediator of this survival strategy. However, EGFR expression is limited in the brain and retina, organs affected in toxoplasmosis.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBMC Public Health
January 2025
Medicine Program, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia.
Background: Toxoplasma gondii is a ubiquitous parasite that can cause significant complications when it infects pregnant women and immunocompromised patients. These complications include miscarriage, fetal abnormalities, and fatal cerebral toxoplasmosis. Despite its significance, the true burden of toxoplasmosis in Indonesia remains underexplored.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCureus
December 2024
Department of Internal Medicine, Osmania Medical College, Hyderabad, IND.
Intramedullary spinal tuberculomas constitute a small percentage of spinal tuberculosis. These, in combination with brain tuberculomas, are an uncommon manifestation of central nervous system (CNS) tuberculosis. This report details a unique case of a 32-year-old retroviral disease-positive male who presented with a two-month history of symmetrical quadriparesis and recent seizures.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Neuroinflammation
January 2025
Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California Irvine, Irvine, 92697, USA.
Background: Immunothrombosis is the process by which the coagulation cascade interacts with the innate immune system to control infection. However, the formation of clots within the brain vasculature can be detrimental to the host. Recent work has demonstrated that Toxoplasma gondii infects and lyses central nervous system (CNS) endothelial cells that form the blood-brain barrier (BBB).
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