Case Report

HIV Infection Presented with Hemiplagia: Three Cases of Toxoplasma Encephaliti

10.4274/Haseki.830

  • Aslihan Demirel
  • Reşat Özaras
  • Elif Hakko
  • Bilgül Mete
  • Mücahit Yemisen
  • Ali Mert
  • Recep Öztürk
  • Fehmi Tabak

Received Date: 14.09.2012 Accepted Date: 10.11.2012 Med Bull Haseki 2013;51(2):70-75

In the presence of contrast-enhanced focal parietal lesions in patients with advanced immunodeficiency, toxoplasma encephalitis is among the main entities in the differential diagnosis. In this study,, we report the cases of three patients with HIV infection presented with toxoplasma encephalitis. A 28-year-old male patient was admitted with fever and weakness in the left half of the body. Cranial MRI revealed contrast-enhancing lesions with necrotic centers compatible with toxoplasmosis. Based on further analysis, the diagnosis of HIV infection was established. A 37-year-old female patient was admitted with headache, fever, and weakness in the left arm and leg. Cranial MRI revealed contrast-enhanced multiple parietal lesions compatible with toxoplasmosis. HIV infection was diagnosed by serologic tests. A 29-year-old male patient, who has been diagnosed with HIV infection 12 years ago but refused treatment, was admitted with weakness in his right arm and speech difficulty. Since cranial MRI revealed lesions compatible with toxoplasma encephalitis, the patient was initiated treatment for toxoplasmosis. In patients with focal cerebral lesions, HIV infection and the disorders facilitated by this infection should be kept in mind.

Keywords: Toxoplasma encephalitis, HIV, hemiplegia

Full Text (Turkish)