Respiratory distress of unknown etiology in a transplant recipient: think toxoplasmosis!

Disseminated toxoplasmosis is a life-threatening disease in immunocompromised individuals. Infection is contracted from handling contaminated soil, cat litter, or through the consumption of contaminated water or food. It is the third most common lethal foodborne infection in the United States. In tr...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Ameer Hamza, Ian Jacob Anderson, Basim Al-Khafaji
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: University of São Paulo 2017-12-01
Series:Autopsy and Case Reports
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.revistas.usp.br/autopsy/article/view/141473
Description
Summary:Disseminated toxoplasmosis is a life-threatening disease in immunocompromised individuals. Infection is contracted from handling contaminated soil, cat litter, or through the consumption of contaminated water or food. It is the third most common lethal foodborne infection in the United States. In transplant patients, most cases occur as a result of reactivation of a latent infection resulting from immunosuppression. We present a case of disseminated toxoplasmosis diagnosed at the time of autopsy. This case emphasizes the importance of maintaining a high index of clinical suspicion and active disease surveillance in this era of sophisticated diagnostic testing.
ISSN:2236-1960