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Eight-and-a-Half Syndrome Secondary to Neurotoxoplasmosis: A Rare Case Report
Joaquim Francisco Cavalcante-Neto1, Gabriel Costa Dos Reis1, Mateus Aragão Esmeraldo1
1Department of Neurology, Federal University of Ceará, Sobral, Brazil.
Neuro-Ophthalmology (Aeolus Press)
|November 7, 2022
Summary
Eight-and-a-half syndrome (EHS), a rare neuro-ophthalmological condition, can be caused by toxoplasmosis in HIV patients. This case highlights the importance of considering neurotoxoplasmosis in diagnosing EHS, especially in immunocompromised individuals.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Ophthalmology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Eight-and-a-half syndrome (EHS) presents with horizontal gaze palsy, internuclear ophthalmoplegia, and ipsilateral facial palsy.
- While infarcts are the most common cause, various etiologies have been reported for EHS.
- Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-associated EHS is infrequently documented, particularly in resource-limited settings.
Observation:
- This report details a case of EHS in a 40-year-old HIV-positive Brazilian man.
- The patient's EHS was secondary to neurotoxoplasmosis, a rare but significant cause.
Findings:
- Neurotoxoplasmosis can manifest as Eight-and-a-half syndrome in HIV-positive individuals.
- This presentation underscores the diagnostic challenges and differential diagnoses for EHS in the context of HIV.
Implications:
- Recognizing neurotoxoplasmosis as a cause of EHS is crucial for timely diagnosis and treatment in HIV patients.
- This case emphasizes the need for increased awareness and reporting of EHS secondary to opportunistic infections in immunocompromised populations.
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