Toxoplasmosis
Lymphadenitis in the immunocompetent, toxoplasmic encephalitis in advanced HIV versus primary CNS lymphoma, the empirical treatment trial, pyrimethamine regimens and co-trimoxazole, prophylaxis thresholds, retinochoroiditis and infection in pregnancy.
Tier 2Condition
Written with AI assistance and fact-checked against the sources below. For exam study, not clinical decisions. How notes are made
At a glance
- Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan whose definitive host is the cat. Humans are infected by oocysts (cat faeces, soil, unwashed produce, water) or tissue cysts in undercooked meat, and transplacentally or through organ transplant.
- Immunocompetent: usually asymptomatic, or cervical lymphadenopathy that settles without treatment.
- Advanced HIV (CD4 under 100): reactivation causes toxoplasmic encephalitis with multiple ring-enhancing lesions. Treat empirically and expect improvement within 2 weeks.
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Sources
- Therapeutic Guidelines: Antibiotic (Toxoplasma gondii encephalitis; toxoplasmosis in pregnancy)AU/NZTherapeutic Guidelines Limited
- Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Opportunistic Infections in Adults and Adolescents with HIV: Toxoplasma gondii encephalitisUS Department of Health and Human Services (NIH, CDC, HIVMA/IDSA), Living guideline, accessed November 2026
- Clinical Practice Guidelines: Pregnancy Care (toxoplasmosis)AU/NZAustralian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, Online edition, accessed November 2026
- ARTG entry: Daraprim pyrimethamine 25 mg tablets (ARTG 97456; no sulfadiazine product found on ARTG search, November 2026)AU/NZTherapeutic Goods Administration, 2026
- Special Access Scheme (route of supply for unregistered sulfadiazine)AU/NZTherapeutic Goods Administration
- Montoya JG, Liesenfeld O. Toxoplasmosis. Lancet 2004;363:1965-76The Lancet, 2004
- Last updated
- 14 November 2026
What changed
- 14 November 2026 Personal emails, About story and Australian-style copy