Toxoplasmosis

Question 1

What is Toxoplasma gondii?

Answer 1

A protozoan (unicellular eukaryote)

Responsible for causing toxoplasmosis.

Question 2

What type of lesions does Toxoplasma gondii cause on CT head scans?

Answer 2

Ring-enhancing lesion(s)

Commonly seen in patients with toxoplasmosis.

Question 3

Is exposure to cats necessary for acquiring Toxoplasma gondii?

Answer 3

No

Toxoplasmosis can be acquired from other sources, such as pork.

Question 4

How can Toxoplasma gondii be acquired?

Answer 4

From pork

This is one of the primary sources of infection.

Question 5

What is the prophylaxis for Toxoplasmosis in HIV patients with a CD4 count <100/µL?

Answer 5

Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX)

This also serves as prophylaxis for Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP).

Question 6

What is the relationship between TMP-SMX and PJP in HIV patients?

Answer 6

Patients with CD4 count <200 are already on TMP-SMX for PJP, which also provides Toxo prophylaxis

This is crucial for managing patients with low CD4 counts.

Question 7

What is a critical diagnosis to consider for an HIV patient with CD4 count <100 who is on TMP-SMX and presents with a ring-enhancing lesion on CT?

Answer 7

Primary CNS lymphoma

Important to distinguish from Toxoplasmosis.

Question 8

What is the treatment for Toxoplasmosis?

Answer 8

Sulfadiazine + pyrimethamine

This combination is specifically used for treating toxoplasmosis.

Question 9

True or False: TMP-SMX is a correct treatment for Toxoplasmosis.

Answer 9

False

TMP-SMX is not the treatment for Toxoplasmosis; it is used for prophylaxis.