Diagnosis of systemic toxoplasmosis with HIV infection using DNA extracted from paraffin-embedded tissue for polymerase chain reaction: a case report

• Main Authors: Shimodaira Kayoko, Hirano Takayuki, Mituda Aki, Hatori Tsutomu, Wakayama Megumi, Nakayama Haruo, Yoshizawa Sadako, Shinozaki Minoru, Okubo Yoichiro, Yuzhu Zhi, Shibuya Kazutoshi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2010-08-01
• Series: Journal of Medical Case Reports
• Online Access: http://www.jmedicalcasereports.com/content/4/1/265

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Toxoplasmosis can be a life-threatening disease when it occurs in patients with HIV infection. In particular, meningioencephalitis has been regarded as the most common toxoplasmic complication in such patients. However, toxoplasmic meningitis in a patient with HIV infection is extremely rare and purulent or tuberculous meningitis should be considered initially as a disease for differential diagnosis in Japan.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>Toxoplasmic meningitis in a patient with HIV infection is reported. A 36-year-old Japanese man presented with fever, pulsating headache, lumbago, nausea, and vomiting. No examinations suggested toxoplasmosis including cerebrospinal fluid examinations, images, and serological tests. The result of a polymerase chain reaction assay using paraffin-embedded section was regarded as the conclusive evidence for the diagnosis.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>We wish to emphasize the usefulness of polymerase chain reaction assays with nucleic acid extracted from paraffin-embedded tissue sections processed for routine histopathological examination, if the section shows the infectious agents or findings suggesting some infectious diseases.</p>