Toxoplasmosis Is an Infection Involving the Central

Toxoplasmosis is an infection involving the central nervous system. Until quite recently, it was considered to be a very rare disease. Now, however, the infection is more common, and is seen as a rather frequent cause of encephalitis, particularly among AIDS patients. The infection itself is caused by an obligate intracellular protozoan called Toxoplasma gondii (Caffazana, et al., 292). This protozoan has a worldwide distribution. In those that have AIDS, it causes encephalitis and neurological symptoms. Among the symptoms that should be looked for and are usually present are headaches that are nonpulsating, severe, and usually in both sections of the front of the head (Caffazana, et al., 295). These headaches caused by the disease are not relieved, as most normal headaches would be, by taking over-the-counter headache remedies such as analgesics. Having the headache pain in the front of the head does not reflect T. gondii lesions, but rather an increase in the intracranial pressure of the patient (Caffazana, et al., 296).

It is possible that seizures will also accompany infection, although research shows that this is not as likely as would have been previously expected. Much of this comes from patients being placed on anticonvulsant medication as a precaution (Caffazana, et al., 298). For those patients that come to their doctor only once the disease has progressed significantly, or for those that have a relapse, however, seizures are not uncommon. In addition to these seizures, symptoms similar to Parkinson's disease and other movement disorders can be seen, as well as inattention, changes in personality, confusion, and lethargy (Caffazana, et al., 299). Patients with AIDS can die from this disease, especially since their immune systems are already compromised and they are not able to fight off this type of infection as easily as others would be able to.

The most common means of transmission of T. gondii to humans include the eating of infected meat that is not properly cooked, and contact with felines (Snider, et al., 405). This is especially true of contract with feline feces, such as when changing a litter box for a house cat. Studies have indicated that, within the AIDS patient population in New York City, three percent have the disease (Snider, et al., 408). This may not seem like an alarming number, but since the disease was considered very rare until recently, the findings are significant.

To diagnose toxoplasmosis in the AIDS patient, the most common diagnostic tool is CT scanning (Snider, et al., 411). Most patients have ring or nodular lesions that can be seen on this type of scan, and they often have edema as well. Another useful tool for diagnosis is toxoplasma serology (Snider, et al., 412). Most of the patients that have the disease are seropositive for the IgG antibody (Snider, et al., 412). A CSF analysis, electroencephalography, and a biopsy of the brain can also be used as ways to diagnosis toxoplasmosis. However, taking a brain biopsy can be dangerous, and morbidity rates for AIDS patients hover around 10% (Snider, et al., 414). For this reason, a biopsy of the brain should only be done as a last resort for diagnosis.