cerebral toxoplasmosis

Last reviewed 01/2018

Cerebral toxoplasmosis is typically a disease of the immunosuppressed.

There is an acute onset of focal neurological deficit over a few days.

The deficits are usually hemispherical (hemiparesis, apraxia, visual field defect etc) but may less commonly present with brainstem or cerebellar signs.

There is commonly clouding of consciousness with fever and constitutional symptoms.

Imaging shows well defined, ring enhancing, lesions with surrounding oedema. Lesions are most commonly found in the cortex and grey matter of the diencephalon.