Infections by protozoa in immunocompromised hosts

• Main Author: Marcelo Simão Ferreira
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Ministério da Saúde 2000-01-01
• Series: Memórias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz.
• Subjects: protozoa; immunosupression; acquired immunodeficiency syndrome-Aids; opportunistic infections
• Online Access: http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0074-02762000000700026

Protozoa are among the most important pathogens that can cause infection in immunocompromised patients. They infect particularly individuals with impaired cell immunity, such as those with hematologic neoplasias, those submitted to transplant of solid organs, those under high-dose corticosteroid therapy, and carriers of the human immunodeficiency virus. Among the protozoa that most commonly cause disease in immunocompromised individuals are Toxoplasma gondii, Trypanosoma cruzi, Cryptosporidium parvum, Isospora belli, Cyclospora cayetanensis and microsporidia; the former two cause severe encephalitis and myocarditis, and the others cause gastrointestinal infections. Early diagnosis and prompt institution of specific therapy for each of these organisms are basic measures to decrease morbidity and mortality associated with these infections.