Use of biopsy and polymerase chain reaction for the diagnosis of cerebral toxoplasmosis in an HIV-positive female patient. A case report

• Autores: Cámara-Reyes, Ramon Rolando, Zuñiga-Rosas, Marco Antonio, Díaz-Carrión, Eddie Giampiere
• Formato: artículo
• Fecha de Publicación: 2024
• Institución: Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia
• Repositorio: Revistas - Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia
• Lenguaje: español
• OAI Identifier: oai:revistas.upch.edu.pe:article/5670
• Enlace del recurso: https://revistas.upch.edu.pe/index.php/RMH/article/view/5670
• Nivel de acceso: acceso abierto
• Materia: Toxoplasmosis Cerebral; Biopsia; Reacción en Cadena de la Polimerasa; Embarazo; Infecciones Oportunistas Relacionadas con el SIDA; Biopsy; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Pregnancy; AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections

Infection by T. gondii is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality among people infected with HIV. The disease presents cerebral or encephalic involvement, especially among severely immunosuppressed patients. We present the case of HIV-infected pregnant women who presented with focal neurological manifestations during the second trimester of gestation. A single intracerebral lesion was found on brain imaging, and a brain biopsy and PCR identified toxoplasmosis. She improved clinically and radiographically after receiving proper treatment. The main contribution of our case is implementing a molecular test to define the diagnosis instead of a therapeutic challenge that may not make the diagnosis.