Cerebral tumor-like American trypanosomiasis in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

Ann Neurol. 1999 Mar;45(3):403-6. doi: 10.1002/1531-8249(199903)45:3<403::aid-ana20>3.0.co;2-k.

Abstract

Cerebral tumor-like American trypanosomiasis (CTLAT) is an uncommon complication of Chagas' disease, observed only in immunosuppressed patients. We assessed 10 human immunodeficiency virus-positive patients with Chagas' disease who presented with CTLAT. All patients had neurological involvement and 6 developed intracranial hypertension. Neuroimaging studies showed supratentorial lesions in 9 patients, being single in 8. One case had infratentorial and supratentorial lesions. Low CD4+ cell counts were observed in all the cases and in 6 of them CTLAT was the first manifestation of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Serological tests for Chagas' disease were positive in 6 of 8 patients. Trypanosoma cruzi was identified in all brain specimens and in three cerebrospinal fluid samples. CTLAT should be considered in the differential diagnosis of intracranial mass lesions in human immunodeficiency virus-positive patients and should be added to the list of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome-defining illnesses.

MeSH terms

  • Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / complications
  • Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / parasitology*
  • Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / pathology
  • Adult
  • Cerebral Cortex / pathology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Trypanosomiasis / etiology*
  • Trypanosomiasis / pathology