Histopathologic identification of Trypanosoma cruzi (Chagas') encephalitis in an AIDS patient

Abstract

Trypanosoma cruzi (Chagas') encephalitis is an uncommon manifestation of T. cruzi infection, typically seen in immunocompromised patients. Encephalitis results from the reactivation of chronic infection predominately in individuals from endemic areas. Increased awareness of this complication is essential especially with increased migration of patients from endemic areas with concomitant HIV infection. Here we report a case of Chagas' encephalitis in an AIDS patient from Mexico in which there was no evidence of acute serologic, CSF, or blood infection by T. cruzi trypomastigotes. Keywords: Trypanosoma cruzi, Chagas, HIV, Encephalitis, AIDS