Cerebral toxoplasmosis with neurological co-infection in people living with AIDS/HIV: results of a prospective cohort in São Paulo, Brazil

Abstract

Background Concomitant neurological diseases in people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) is a challenging subject that has been insufficiently evaluated by prospective clinical studies. The goal of the present study was to identify the clinical characteristics and outcomes of PLWHA with cerebral toxoplasmosis and neurological co-infections.

Methods We conducted a prospective observational cohort study at a tertiary teaching center in São Paulo, Brazil, from January to July 2017. Hospitalized PLWHA aged ≥ 18 years with cerebral toxoplasmosis were consecutively enrolled. A standardized neurological examination was performed at admission and weekly until discharge or death. Diagnosis and treatment followed institutional routines; neuroradiology, molecular diagnosis, neurosurgery, and the intensive care unit (ICU) were available. The main outcomes were neurological coinfections and in-hospital death.

Results We included 44 (4.3%) cases among 1,032 hospitalized patients. The median age was 44 (interquartile range [IQR]: 35–50) years, and 50% (n = 22) of the patients were male. The median CD4+ T lymphocyte count was of 50 (IQR: 15–94) cells/mm³. Multiple lesions on computed tomography were present in 59% of the cases. Neurological coinfections were diagnosed in 20% (n = 9) of the cases, and cytomegalovirus was the most common etiology (encephalitis: n = 3; polyradiculopathy: n = 2). Longer hospital stays (30 versus 62 days; p = 0.021) and a higher rate of ICU admissions (14% versus 44%; p = 0.045) were observed among PLWHA with neurological coinfections in comparison to those without them. The rate of in-hospital mortality was of 13.6% (n = 6) (coinfection group: 33%; no coinfection group: 8.6%; p = 0.054).

Conclusion Neurological c-infections were common among PLWHA with cerebral toxoplasmosis, and cytomegalovirus was the main copathogen. The group of PLWHA with neurological co-infections underwent longer hospital stays and more frequent intensive care unit admissions. Additionally, this group of patients tended to have higher in-hospital mortality rate.

Resumo

Antecedentes Coinfecções neurológicas em pessoas que vivem com HIV/AIDS (PVHA) é um tema que não foi suficientemente avaliado em estudos clínicos prospectivos. Nosso objetivo foi identificar as características clínicas e os desfechos de PVHA com toxoplasmose cerebral e coinfecções neurológicas.

Métodos Estudo prospectivo de coorte observacional conduzido em um centro de ensino terciário de São Paulo, Brasil, entre janeiro e julho de 2017. Foram incluídos consecutivamente PVHA internadas com ≥ 18 anos e toxoplasmose cerebral. Realizou-se exame neurológico padronizado na admissão e semanalmente até a alta/óbito. Tanto o diagnóstico quanto o tratamento seguiram a rotina institucional; neurorradiologia, diagnóstico molecular, neurocirurgia e Unidade de Terapia Intensiva (UTI) estavam disponíveis. Os principais desfechos foram coinfecções neurológicas e óbitos hospitalares.

Resultados Incluímos 44 (4,3%) casos entre 1.032 pacientes internados. A idade mediana foi de 44 (intervalo interquartil [IIQ]: : 35–50) anos, e 50% (n = 22) dos pacientes eram do sexo masculino. A contagem mediana de linfócitos T CD4+ foi de 50 (IIQ:15–94) células/mm³. Múltiplas lesões na tomografia computadorizada foram observadas em 59% dos casos. Coinfecções neurológicas foram diagnosticadas em 20% (n = 9) dos casos, sendo o citomegalovírus a etiologia mais comum (encefalite: n = 3; polirradiculopatia: n = 2). Observou-se maior tempo de internação (26 versus 62 dias; p = 0,021) e uma taxa mais alta de admissão à UTI (14% versus 44%; p = 0,045) em PVHA com coinfecções neurológicas em comparação àquelas sem coinfecção. A mortalidade intra-hospitalar foi de 13,6% (n = 6) (grupo com coinfecções: 33% versus grupo sem coinfecção: 8,6%; p = 0,054).

Conclusão Coinfecções neurológicas foram comuns em PVHA com toxoplasmose cerebral, sendo o citomegalovírus o principal copatógeno. O grupo de PVHA com coinfecções neurológicas apresentou maior tempo de internação, maior taxa de internações na UTI, e tendência a maior taxa de mortalidade intra-hospitalar.

Keywords

HIV - Cerebral Toxoplasmosis - Coinfection

Palavras-chave

HIV - Toxoplasmose Cerebral - Coinfecção

Authors' Contributions

JPMT: data collection and analysis, manuscript writing; JEV: manuscript writing and final review.

Publication History

Received: 14 January 2022

Accepted: 21 May 2022

Article published online:
14 March 2023

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