Disseminated toxoplasmosis in a patient with non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Toxoplasmosis is a well-recognized opportunistic disease in HIV-infected individuals that is caused by the reactivation of a previous infection, primarily in the central nervous system, during profound immunodeficiency. Toxoplasmosis has been described more rarely in patients with cancer and chemotherapy. We report a case of a patient with a history of chemotherapy for non-Hodgkin lymphoma who developed pain and progressive paresthesia of the right arm 6 weeks after remission. Relapsing lymphoma was suspected, and steroid and radiation treatment were initiated, but the patient died 5 days later due to multiple organ failure. Autopsy revealed disseminated toxoplasmosis. This case illustrates that toxoplasmosis should be suspected in patients with neoplastic disease, especially lymphomas, who present with unexplained neurologic, pulmonary, or febrile symptoms during or after chemotherapy.
Herold
M A
MA
Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, University Hospital of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland. markus.herold@hin.ch
Kühne
R
R
Vosberg
M
M
Ostheeren-Michaelis
S
S
Vogt
P
P
Karrer
U
U
D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008168:Lung / Q000473:pathology; D008228:Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008853:Microscopy; D008875:Middle Aged; D009102:Multiple Organ Failure; D009206:Myocardium / Q000473:pathology; D011859:Radiography; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014123:Toxoplasmosis / Q000175:diagnosis*
D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents