Clinical and imaging characteristics of toxoplasmic encephalitis in patients with HIV/AIDS with different immune statuses
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Background: Toxoplasmic encephalitis (TE) is one of the most common opportunistic central nervous system infections in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and a major cause of death. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) serves as a key adjunct in the clinical diagnosis of TE. This study aimed to identify the MRI characteristics of TE in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/AIDS across different immune statuses. Methods: T-cell count levels (<50, 50-100, and >100 cells/µL). The differences in MRI imaging features between patients with varying immune statuses were analyzed. Results: T cells/µL group showed significantly elevated cerebrospinal fluid protein levels as compared to the other two groups (P<0.05). Conclusions: In patients with HIV/AIDS with secondary TE, MRI findings varied in terms of lesion size and enhancement patterns according to the immune status of the patient. These imaging characteristics provide valuable guidance for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of TE.
Authors: Jiachen Liu, Dan Li, Wei Wang, Yanbin Shi, Zhongkai Zhou, Hongjun Li
Language: English
Subfield: Parasitology
Field: Immunology and Microbiology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4412508123