[Pulmonary toxoplasmosis. Study of 4 cases and review of the literature].
BACKGROUND
Description of four cases of pulmonary toxoplasmosis and review of the literature.


METHODS
A retrospective analysis (October 1990-December 1992) was carried out of the patients with samples of tracheal aspirate, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and lung biopsy positive for T. gondii by immunofluorescence with anti-P30 monoclonal antibodies and cell cultures.


RESULTS
Four patients were diagnosed of pulmonary toxoplasmosis, three being immunosuppressed (one renal transplant, one with chronic lymphoid leukemia and one intravenous drug user HIV seronegative) and the remaining one healthy. All the patients developed progressive dyspnea and a radiologic pattern of interstitial pneumonitis (3) or alveolar condensation (1). Three of the patients were cured with pyrimethamine and sulphadiazine. One patient had coinfection by CMV and died. Another 52 cases of this rare condition have been reported in the literature.


CONCLUSIONS
In the authors experience, bronchoalveolar lavage material and lung biopsy for T. gondii culture should be performed in immunosuppressed patients with an unclear interstitial radiologic pattern to rule out pulmonary toxoplasmosis.
Unidad de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Hospital Central de Asturias, Universidad de Oviedo.
V
V
Asensi
J A
JA
Cartón
J A
JA
Maradona
M
M
de Oña
S
S
Melón
J M
JM
Asensi
A
A
Martínez
M J
MJ
Tuya
J M
JM
Arribas
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D001706:Biopsy; D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / Q000469:parasitology; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D008168:Lung / Q000469:parasitology / Q000473:pathology; D008174:Lung Diseases, Parasitic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014122:Toxoplasma / Q000302:isolation & purification; D014123:Toxoplasmosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology
Toxoplasmosis pulmonar. Estudio de 4 casos y revisión de la literatura.