title: [Cerebral toxoplasmosis in immunosuppressed patients: diagnosis and treatment].
abstract: Central nervous system toxoplasmosis was diagnosed in 12 immunosuppressed patients, eleven of whom had AIDS. Fever (9/12), confusion (7/12) and focal neurological manifestations (6/12) were the main clinical signs. Lumbar puncture yielded abnormal cerebrospinal fluid in 6/6 cases. Cerebral computed tomographic scan abnormalities, homogenous (2/12) or ring-like (9/12) contrast-enhancing mass lesions and/or low density lesions (6/12), were present in all patients. Brain biopsy confirmed T. gondii infection in 7/8 cases. The combination pyrimethamine-sulfadiazine accounted for complete resolution (4/8) or partial improvement (4/8) in eight out of 12 patients. Mean duration of therapy was 6.5 months (1-21.5 months) in 11 patients. No relapse was observed. In three cases spiramycin was ineffective in the prevention of neurotoxoplasmosis.
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000150:complications*; D000328:Adult; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007933:Leucomycins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011739:Pyrimethamine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D013411:Sulfadiazine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D014123:Toxoplasmosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*
chemical_list: D004338:Drug Combinations; D007933:Leucomycins; D013411:Sulfadiazine; D011739:Pyrimethamine
vernacular_title: Toxoplasmose cérébrale de l'immunodéprimé: diagnostic et traitement.