Premium
Toxoplasmosis complicating malignancy. Experience at the national cancer institute
Author(s) -
Vietzke Wesley M.,
Gelderman Albert H.,
Grimley Philip M.,
Valsamis Marius P.
Publication year - 1968
Publication title -
cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.052
H-Index - 304
eISSN - 1097-0142
pISSN - 0008-543X
DOI - 10.1002/1097-0142(196805)21:5<816::aid-cncr2820210506>3.0.co;2-#
Subject(s) - medicine , malignancy , encephalitis , toxoplasmosis , cancer , pathology , pneumonitis , lesion , dermatology , immunology , virus , lung
Severe, often fatal, infection with Toxoplasma gondii, which manifests an unusual predilection for the central nervous system, has been studied in six patients with malignancy at the National Cancer Institute. Fourteen other instances of toxoplasmosis associated with malignancy have been collected from the literature. Prominent clinical findings are those mimicking encephalitis or a mass lesion. Associated fever, rash, myocarditis and pneumonitis are also described. The major pathologic lesion is a necrotizing encephalitis of the gray matter. A striking coincidence of DNA virus infection occurred in several cases. Clinical, laboratory and pathologic details are reviewed and possible pathogenetic mechanisms are discussed. Attention is drawn to the need for increased clinical awareness of this parasitic complication of malignancy, as it may be treatable.