Toxoplasmosis-Associated Lymphadenopathy: Description of a Series of Cases in a Reference Center

Background: Toxoplasmosis has a more severe manifestation in pregnant women and immunocompromised individuals. Up to 15% of immunocompetent individuals who have acquired the infection may be asymptomatic, however in others the symptoms may be confused with another infection and cause more severe ma...

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Main Authors: Danna Sofía Salazar Bermúdez, María Fernanda Bocanegra Valencia, Humberto Alejandro Nati Castillo, Jorge Enrique Gómez Marín
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: University Library System, University of Pittsburgh 2022-12-01
Series:International Journal of Medical Students
Subjects:
Online Access:https://ijms.info/IJMS/article/view/1847
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author Danna Sofía Salazar Bermúdez
María Fernanda Bocanegra Valencia
Humberto Alejandro Nati Castillo
Jorge Enrique Gómez Marín
author_facet Danna Sofía Salazar Bermúdez
María Fernanda Bocanegra Valencia
Humberto Alejandro Nati Castillo
Jorge Enrique Gómez Marín
author_sort Danna Sofía Salazar Bermúdez
collection DOAJ
description Background: Toxoplasmosis has a more severe manifestation in pregnant women and immunocompromised individuals. Up to 15% of immunocompetent individuals who have acquired the infection may be asymptomatic, however in others the symptoms may be confused with another infection and cause more severe manifestations such as ocular toxoplasmosis which is the most common cause of chorioretinitis and can lead to retinal necrosis. Considering that the clinical characteristics of lymphadenopathy-related toxoplasmosis in Colombia have not been reported despite its high frequency, it is essential to define its clinical presentation. Objective: The objective was to describe a series of cases, their evolution, clinical characteristics and response to treatment of lymphadenopathy due to toxoplasmosis in a first level health care institution in Armenia, Colombia. Methods: 106 medical records with a diagnosis of toxoplasmosis-associated lymphadenopathy were reviewed from 2006 to 2022 at the Universidad del Quindío health center. Cases that met the following criteria were included: Presence of lymphadenopathies accompanied or not by fever and positive IgM or IgG anti-Toxoplasma test. Clinical presentation, accompanying symptoms and laboratory tests were analyzed. In the patients who had follow-up, the response to treatment was analyzed. Results: Of 106 cases, 100 met the selection criteria, 59% male, 30% adolescent. Coinfections occurred in 3% with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and 2% Cytomegalovirus. The location was predominately of cervical adenopathies (83%). The main associated symptom was fever with 37%. The main treatment received was Pyrimethamine/Sulfadoxine with 37% having an adequate response. Conclusions: The clinical manifestations of the infection should guide us to consider the possible presence of lymph node toxoplasmosis. Timely diagnosis and treatment prevent severity and complications in our environment such as ocular involvement which greatly impacts the quality of life of the population.
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spelling doaj.art-a217fbfe9d1c4b549831a5702ea1ef802023-08-02T07:40:08ZengUniversity Library System, University of PittsburghInternational Journal of Medical Students2076-63272022-12-0110Toxoplasmosis-Associated Lymphadenopathy: Description of a Series of Cases in a Reference CenterDanna Sofía Salazar BermúdezMaría Fernanda Bocanegra Valencia0Humberto Alejandro Nati CastilloJorge Enrique Gómez MarínUniversity Of Quindio Background: Toxoplasmosis has a more severe manifestation in pregnant women and immunocompromised individuals. Up to 15% of immunocompetent individuals who have acquired the infection may be asymptomatic, however in others the symptoms may be confused with another infection and cause more severe manifestations such as ocular toxoplasmosis which is the most common cause of chorioretinitis and can lead to retinal necrosis. Considering that the clinical characteristics of lymphadenopathy-related toxoplasmosis in Colombia have not been reported despite its high frequency, it is essential to define its clinical presentation. Objective: The objective was to describe a series of cases, their evolution, clinical characteristics and response to treatment of lymphadenopathy due to toxoplasmosis in a first level health care institution in Armenia, Colombia. Methods: 106 medical records with a diagnosis of toxoplasmosis-associated lymphadenopathy were reviewed from 2006 to 2022 at the Universidad del Quindío health center. Cases that met the following criteria were included: Presence of lymphadenopathies accompanied or not by fever and positive IgM or IgG anti-Toxoplasma test. Clinical presentation, accompanying symptoms and laboratory tests were analyzed. In the patients who had follow-up, the response to treatment was analyzed. Results: Of 106 cases, 100 met the selection criteria, 59% male, 30% adolescent. Coinfections occurred in 3% with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and 2% Cytomegalovirus. The location was predominately of cervical adenopathies (83%). The main associated symptom was fever with 37%. The main treatment received was Pyrimethamine/Sulfadoxine with 37% having an adequate response. Conclusions: The clinical manifestations of the infection should guide us to consider the possible presence of lymph node toxoplasmosis. Timely diagnosis and treatment prevent severity and complications in our environment such as ocular involvement which greatly impacts the quality of life of the population. https://ijms.info/IJMS/article/view/1847ToxoplasmosisLymphadenopathyFeverT. GondiiColombia
spellingShingle Danna Sofía Salazar Bermúdez
María Fernanda Bocanegra Valencia
Humberto Alejandro Nati Castillo
Jorge Enrique Gómez Marín
Toxoplasmosis-Associated Lymphadenopathy: Description of a Series of Cases in a Reference Center
International Journal of Medical Students
Toxoplasmosis
Lymphadenopathy
Fever
T. Gondii
Colombia
title Toxoplasmosis-Associated Lymphadenopathy: Description of a Series of Cases in a Reference Center
title_full Toxoplasmosis-Associated Lymphadenopathy: Description of a Series of Cases in a Reference Center
title_fullStr Toxoplasmosis-Associated Lymphadenopathy: Description of a Series of Cases in a Reference Center
title_full_unstemmed Toxoplasmosis-Associated Lymphadenopathy: Description of a Series of Cases in a Reference Center
title_short Toxoplasmosis-Associated Lymphadenopathy: Description of a Series of Cases in a Reference Center
title_sort toxoplasmosis associated lymphadenopathy description of a series of cases in a reference center
topic Toxoplasmosis
Lymphadenopathy
Fever
T. Gondii
Colombia
url https://ijms.info/IJMS/article/view/1847
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AT mariafernandabocanegravalencia toxoplasmosisassociatedlymphadenopathydescriptionofaseriesofcasesinareferencecenter
AT humbertoalejandronaticastillo toxoplasmosisassociatedlymphadenopathydescriptionofaseriesofcasesinareferencecenter
AT jorgeenriquegomezmarin toxoplasmosisassociatedlymphadenopathydescriptionofaseriesofcasesinareferencecenter