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Updated: Jun 24, 2026

In Vivo Imaging Systems IVIS Detection of a Neuro-Invasive Encephalitic Virus
Published on: December 2, 2012
A case of toxoplasmic encephalitis in a patient on cancer chemotherapy in Uganda
Yekosani Mitala1, Raymond Atwine1, Abraham Birungi1
1Department of Pathology, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara city, Uganda.
Background:
Reactivation of central nervous system (CNS) toxoplasmosis can be caused by immunosuppression (ISS) of any kind. However, anti-cancer chemotherapy combined with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) induced ISS results in an atypical presentation that is fatal.
Case Presentation:
A 46 years old man with a well-controlled infection of the human immunodeficiency virus presented with generalized tonic-clonic seizures following the second dose of anti-cancer chemotherapy for esophageal cancer. His brain's computerized tomography (CT) scan showed enlarged ventricles with no space-occupying lesions. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) smears stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) revealed numerous bradyzoites and tachyzoites consistent with central nervous system toxoplasmosis.
Conclusion:
With a double burden of cancer and Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in low-income countries, this case raises awareness about the atypical presentation of CNS toxoplasmosis reactivation among patients on cancer chemotherapy.
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