Hairy-cell leukemia and toxoplasmosis

Investigation for Toxoplasma gondii infection using complement fixation test and microprecipitation method in agar gel was performed in fifteen patients with clinically and morphologically typical hairy-cell leukemia. Positive complement fixation test was found in four patients. In three patients an initially high complement fixation titer or its considerable increase associated with positive microprecipitation in agar gel suggested a recent toxoplasmosis. The importance of search for Toxoplasma gondii infection in hairy-cell leukemia patients especially before splenectomy and the necessity of reinvestigation after splenectomy is stressed.