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[Acquired toxoplasmosis with cerebral involvement and subsequent hearing loss]
1Universitätskinderklinik, Universität Leipzig.
Insights
Postnatally acquired toxoplasmosis is typically mild in healthy individuals. However, this case highlights rare central nervous system (CNS) involvement, leading to persistent unilateral deafness in a child.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Infectious Diseases
- Ophthalmology
Background:
- Toxoplasmosis is usually asymptomatic in immunocompetent individuals.
- Central nervous system (CNS) toxoplasmosis is rare, primarily seen in immunocompromised patients.
- Postnatal toxoplasmosis can present with varied neurological symptoms.
Observation:
- A 9-year-old healthy boy presented with subfebrile temperatures, headache, and signs of encephalitis.
- Clinical examination revealed unilateral deafness.
- The patient had a history of one-week illness prior to hospitalization.
Findings:
- Diagnosis of toxoplasmosis was confirmed.
- Treatment with pyrimethamine and sulfadiazine was initiated.
- Most symptoms resolved, but unilateral deafness persisted post-treatment.
Implications:
- This case underscores the potential for CNS toxoplasmosis in immunocompetent children.
- Persistent unilateral deafness can be a sequela of toxoplasmosis-induced encephalitis.
- Highlights the importance of considering toxoplasmosis in pediatric neurological presentations, even without overt immunosuppression.
Abstract:
In immunocompetent patients the postnatally acquired toxoplasmosis is usually a mild or asymptomatic disease. CNS manifestations are rare, e.g. in patients with HIV infection or in patients with other types of immunosuppression. We report on a 9-year old healthy boy, who was hospitalized after one week with subfebrile temperatures and headache with clinical signs of encephalitis and unilateral deafness. We diagnosed a toxoplasmosis and treated the patient with pyrimethamine and sulfadiazine. While most of the signs and symptoms disappeared rapidly the deafness persisted.