[Opportunistic Toxoplasma gondii infections]

In children with cellular immune deficiency, toxoplasmosis may result in severe infection, chiefly because of cerebral impairment presenting as meningo-encephalitis or as a pseudo-tumoral syndrome. Allogenic bone marrow transplantation or AIDS are high risk situations. Most often it is a reviviscence of former foci toxoplasma cysts. Diagnosis is difficult because serology is not contributive. Isolation of trophozoites in the cerebrospinal fluid is rare. CAT scan and sometimes cerebral biopsy allow unquestionable diagnosis. Early treatment (pyrimethamine, sulfadiazine, spiramycine) may lead to complete recovery.