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What Causes Toxoplasmosis In A Patient With Weak Immune System?
Question: hi I was wondering if it is possible for a person without hiv/253657?iL=true" >aids or hiv, to have toxoplasmosis reactive and get cns toxoplasmosis if the person has a weak immune system for any reason or is this just seen mostly in aids patients? and if a person with aids or hiv can get cns toxoplasmosis please explain to me thank you
Brief Answer:
Can occur due to any immune suppression cause. Ocular form is different.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
Toxoplasmosis can develop in any patient who has a weak immune system. Naturally HIV is the most common cause of suppressed immunity, hence we see CNS toxoplasmosis mainly in HIV patients. However it can develop in other causes of immune suppression such as prolonged treatment with corticosteroids, malnutrition, malignancies.
Since I see that you have been told to have retinal involvement though, I would like to precise that ocular toxoplasmosis differs from CNS toxoplasmosis because the majority of the cases are not due to a recently acquired infection, not necessarily in a immunosuppressed patient. This type of toxoplasmosis occurs most commonly due to reactivation of toxoplasmosis which was contracted at birth, a reactivation of congenital toxoplasmosis.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Can occur due to any immune suppression cause. Ocular form is different.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
Toxoplasmosis can develop in any patient who has a weak immune system. Naturally HIV is the most common cause of suppressed immunity, hence we see CNS toxoplasmosis mainly in HIV patients. However it can develop in other causes of immune suppression such as prolonged treatment with corticosteroids, malnutrition, malignancies.
Since I see that you have been told to have retinal involvement though, I would like to precise that ocular toxoplasmosis differs from CNS toxoplasmosis because the majority of the cases are not due to a recently acquired infection, not necessarily in a immunosuppressed patient. This type of toxoplasmosis occurs most commonly due to reactivation of toxoplasmosis which was contracted at birth, a reactivation of congenital toxoplasmosis.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I had toxoplasmosis for the first time 9 years ago I was pregnant at that time and lost baby because of it it went 6 months before being diagnose, after treatment with med I was cleared and vision was back to normal in 8 weeks. this time I was on steroids for being sick and it reactive in may 2015. but the treatment was different all I was given was antbotics and steroids almost 6 months , Dr are telling me toxoplasmosis is not active in retina but I still have eye pain in back of eye and I also have a black shaded line in center of vision in left eye that I can't see in center of vision but Dr are lost as to what may be causing this shaded area
Brief Answer:
Read below.
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for the additional info. Ocular toxoplasmosis does have a tendency to make relapses, it reoccurs in two thirds of patients, so I am not surprised that you have had repeated episodes.
As for the persisting symptoms, as I can not examine you I am gonna have to take the word of my colleagues for the fact that it is not active anymore. However the fact that it is not active anymore does not mean it hasn't left any damage behind. The infection may have left a scar on your retina, some cells may have been irreparably damaged and hence explain that shaded line, the fact it is not active means that it is not causing further damage.
I understand that still leaves the issue of the pain. It can be due to the inflammation not having subsided yet, but since after so many months it should have subsided, if it is increasing in intensity an MRI may be scheduled. In the meantime over the counter painkillers like Ibuprofen may be continued.
Read below.
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for the additional info. Ocular toxoplasmosis does have a tendency to make relapses, it reoccurs in two thirds of patients, so I am not surprised that you have had repeated episodes.
As for the persisting symptoms, as I can not examine you I am gonna have to take the word of my colleagues for the fact that it is not active anymore. However the fact that it is not active anymore does not mean it hasn't left any damage behind. The infection may have left a scar on your retina, some cells may have been irreparably damaged and hence explain that shaded line, the fact it is not active means that it is not causing further damage.
I understand that still leaves the issue of the pain. It can be due to the inflammation not having subsided yet, but since after so many months it should have subsided, if it is increasing in intensity an MRI may be scheduled. In the meantime over the counter painkillers like Ibuprofen may be continued.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
hi thanks for response , I'm on antibiotics and steroids again for bronchitis, again, I have another question for u and this had also been on going until a few days ago but happening again, I get a pain in back of eye that sounds weird but only way I can think to explain it to u is a bike with brakes on Handel bar it would be as if someone pushes that and the pain starts in back of eye and goes to lower eye area on face sometimes down jaw line and on that side of head above my ear I know this may be hard and sound strange to answer with out seeing me but I am hoping for some kind of help to lead me in right direction. I'm wondering if maybe something with brain going on and not really the eye, I also can't see good at night outside I can see people moving but not like I use to be able to see at night sorry for all the info I'm hoping not to much on u at once
Brief Answer:
Read below
Detailed Answer:
Hello again and sorry for the late answer.
As I said before I too can not explain the persistent pain given that the infection was deemed not active. Since several months have passed inflammation should have subsided. The fact you are again under steroid treatment adds to that being uncommon.
It is for that reason that I recommended to schedule an MRI if symptoms persist, to exclude the possibility of a brain lesion, whether related to the toxo or not.
I hope you'll get better soon.
Read below
Detailed Answer:
Hello again and sorry for the late answer.
As I said before I too can not explain the persistent pain given that the infection was deemed not active. Since several months have passed inflammation should have subsided. The fact you are again under steroid treatment adds to that being uncommon.
It is for that reason that I recommended to schedule an MRI if symptoms persist, to exclude the possibility of a brain lesion, whether related to the toxo or not.
I hope you'll get better soon.
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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