Toxoplasma gondii pneumonitis in patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus.
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.
Schnapp
L M
LM
Medical Service, San Francisco General Hospital Medical Center, University of California 94110.
Geaghan
S M
SM
Campagna
A
A
Fahy
J
J
Steiger
D
D
Ng
V
V
Hadley
W K
WK
Hopewell
P C
PC
Stansell
J D
JD
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000150:complications*; D000328:Adult; D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / Q000469:parasitology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009894:Opportunistic Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000469:parasitology*; D011020:Pneumonia, Pneumocystis / Q000453:epidemiology; D014123:Toxoplasmosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology