A Case Report of Cerebral Toxoplasmosis in An HIV-Positive Patient: Risk of Possible Transmission through Contaminated Water/Food

Abstract

Introduction: Toxoplasma gondii is an obligatory intracellular protozoan with a worldwide distribution. We reported here the cerebral toxoplasmosis in an Iranian HIV-positive patient. Case report: A 35-year-old woman that hospitalized at Golestan province, in summer 2016 because of dizziness, fever, and headache. After treatment, she showed severe pain and then paralysis symptoms. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a small mass in the brain. In the previous analysis, she had shown the presence of HIV antigen using immunocytochemistry. The results of serological tests for toxoplasmosis showed toxoplasma IgG antibodies rate of 1785.6 mg/dl and toxoplasma IgM antibodies rate of 162.4 IU/ml. Conclusion: From public health importance viewpoint, it is a necessity to educate the people about possible transmission risk of T. gondii through contaminated food and drink sources. Unhygienic behaviors such as close contact with stray cats and also consumption of raw or semi-cooked meat must be avoided especially in case of immunosuppressed persons such as HIV-positive patients. On the other hand, detection of HIV/AIDS patients in a community is very important due to following them up with the diagnosis tests for all opportunistic infection especially toxoplasmosis.

Keywords

• Toxoplasmosis
• HIV
• Public Health
• Food Safety