Cervical Spinal Cord Toxoplasmosis in a Patient with AIDS

Cerebral Toxoplasmosis is a very common cause of focal neurologic disorder in Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) patients with cerebral lesions, but it seems to be a rare cause of spinal cord disease. If not treated and detected immediately, Toxoplasmosis may cause considerable mortality and morbidity.

Toxoplasma gondii is an intracellular pathogen that contracts a major proportion of the world population. Also, it is a well-known cause of sickness among persons with Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome(AIDS). Although brain has been the major site for Toxoplasma infection in Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) patients, spinal cord involvement by Toxoplasma has been seldom reported. Spinal cord Toxoplasmosis may present as severe outset weakness in both lower limbs correlating with both sensory and bladder dysfunction. On the other hand, progression of cerebral infection may produce seizures, ataxia, confusion, aphasia, hemianopsia, hemiparesis, drowsiness, and cranial nerve palsies. Congenital Toxoplasmosis is an illness caused by intrauterine transmission of the parasite Toxoplasma gondii to the fetus. A pregnant woman may acquire this parasite during gestation. Toxoplasma gondii can be found in up to 50% of the world population. Approximately 10% of patients with Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) show some kind of neurological deficit as their primary complaint, and around 80% will have Central Nervous System (CNS) involvement during the course of their illness. The retina and the lungs are the major sites of extracerebral manifestation of Toxoplasmosis, and such manifestations may happen with/without concomitant Encephalitis. Here we present a case report and review of the literature on Toxoplasmosis in Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) patients.