Chagasic meningoencephalitis: case report of a recently included AIDS-defining illness in Brazil

Authors

  • Geraldine Madalosso Instituto de Infectologia Emílio Ribas
  • Alessandra C. Guedes Pellini Instituto de Infectologia Emílio Ribas
  • Marileide J. Vasconcelos Instituto de Infectologia Emílio Ribas
  • Ana Freitas Ribeiro Instituto de Infectologia Emílio Ribas
  • Leonardo Weissmann Instituto de Infectologia Emílio Ribas
  • Gilberto Silva Oliveira Filho Instituto de Infectologia Emílio Ribas
  • Augusto C. Penalva de Oliveira Instituto de Infectologia Emílio Ribas
  • Jose E. Vidal Instituto de Infectologia Emílio Ribas

Keywords:

Chagas disease, Meningoencephalitis, Central nervous system, Epidemiology, Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, Brazil

Abstract

Recently, reactivation of Chagas disease (meningoencephalitis and/or myocarditis) was included in the list of AIDS-defining illnesses in Brazil. We report a case of a 52-year-old patient with no history of previous disease who presented acute meningoencephalitis. Direct examination of blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) showed Trypanosoma cruzi. CSF culture confirmed the diagnosis. Serological assays for T. cruzi and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) were positive. Despite treatment with benznidazol and supportive measures, the patient died 24 hours after hospital admission. In endemic areas, reactivation of Chagas disease should always be considered in the differential diagnosis of meningoencephalitis among HIV-infected patients, and its presence is indicative of AIDS.

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Published

2004-08-01

Issue

Vol. 46 No. 4 (2004)

Section

Case Report

How to Cite

Madalosso, G., Pellini, A. C. G., Vasconcelos, M. J., Ribeiro, A. F., Weissmann, L., Oliveira Filho, G. S., Oliveira, A. C. P. de, & Vidal, J. E. (2004). Chagasic meningoencephalitis: case report of a recently included AIDS-defining illness in Brazil . Revista Do Instituto De Medicina Tropical De São Paulo, 46(4), 199-202. https://revistas.usp.br/rimtsp/article/view/30824