Respiratory distress of unknown etiology in a transplant recipient: think toxoplasmosis!

Authors

  • Ameer Hamza St. John Hospital and Medical Center, Department of Pathology
  • Ian Jacob Anderson St. John Hospital and Medical Center, Department of Pathology
  • Basim Al-Khafaji St. John Hospital and Medical Center, Department of Pathology

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.4322/acr.2017.038

Keywords:

Autopsy, Allografts, Immunosuppression, Opportunistic infections, Kidney transplantation, Toxoplasmosis.

Abstract

Disseminated toxoplasmosis is a life-threatening disease in immunocompromised individuals. Infection is contracted from handling contaminated soil, cat litter, or through the consumption of contaminated water or food. It is the third most common lethal foodborne infection in the United States. In transplant patients, most cases occur as a result of reactivation of a latent infection resulting from immunosuppression. We present a case of disseminated toxoplasmosis diagnosed at the time of autopsy. This case emphasizes the importance of maintaining a high index of clinical suspicion and active disease surveillance in this era of sophisticated diagnostic testing.

Downloads

Downloads

Published

2017-12-12

Issue

Vol. 7 No. 4 (2017)

Section

Article / Autopsy Case Report

License

Authors of articles published by Autopsy and Case Report retain the copyright of their work without restrictions, licensing it under the Creative Commons Attribution License - CC-BY, which allows articles to be re-used and re-distributed without restriction, as long as the original work is correctly cited.

How to Cite

Hamza, A., Anderson, I. J., & Al-Khafaji, B. (2017). Respiratory distress of unknown etiology in a transplant recipient: think toxoplasmosis!. Autopsy and Case Reports, 7(4), 37-41. https://doi.org/10.4322/acr.2017.038