Case report: fatal pulmonary toxoplasmosis following chemotherapy

Am J Med Sci. 1991 Sep;302(3):152-4. doi: 10.1097/00000441-199109000-00006.

Abstract

A 41-year-old woman with acute myelomonocytic leukemia in remission died of a rapidly progressive necrotizing pneumonia while in the recovery phase following consolidation chemotherapy. Autopsy revealed disseminated toxoplasmosis. Although this syndrome has been well described to present as a neurologic complication in certain immunocompromised patients, it is rare in acute leukemia, and non-neurologic presentations are even more unusual. This case emphasizes the need to be suspicious of toxoplasmosis in immunocompromised patients even in the absence of neurologic signs or symptoms.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunocompromised Host
  • Leukemia, Myelomonocytic, Acute / drug therapy*
  • Lung Diseases, Parasitic / etiology*
  • Toxoplasmosis / etiology*