Fine‐needle aspiration cytology of subcutaneous toxoplasmosis: A case report

Abstract

Toxoplasmosis is a common opportunistic infection in patients with AIDS in whom it typically presents as encephalitis, pneumonia, lymphadenitis, and myocarditis. Skin involvement is very rare and, to our best knowledge, Toxoplasma gondii forming a subcutaneous mass has not been reported. Here, we report the findings of an interesting case of subcutaneous toxoplasmosis with the cytological appearance of an inflammatory fibrovascular lesion in a HIV-positive patient and discuss the differential diagnosis.

Toxoplasma lymphadenitis diagnosed by fine-needle aspiration cytology: a rare finding

“…A diagnosis of toxoplasmosis is based on a combination of direct visualisation by fine-needle aspiration cytology or open biopsy histology and serological assays to detect antibodies against the parasite. However, serological analysis of an immunocompromised patient can yield a false negative result 2 . In our patient, for example, the serum IgG antibody titre was elevated but the serum IgM antibody titre was not.…”

“…However, serological analysis of an immunocompromised patient can yield a false negative result. 2 In our patient, for example, the serum IgG antibody titre was elevated but the serum IgM antibody titre was not. Therefore, confirmation of active disease by other serological methods is always desirable.…”

“…[1][2][3] The incidence of infection is very high in regions with warm, humid climates, where a significant percentage of the population has low antibody titres against this parasite. As much as 40 per cent of the global adult population is infected with T gondii, 4 and it is thought that 15-20 per cent of unexplained lymphadenopathy cases, especially those affecting cervical nodes, are caused by toxoplasmosis.…”

“…As much as 40 per cent of the global adult population is infected with T gondii, 4 and it is thought that 15-20 per cent of unexplained lymphadenopathy cases, especially those affecting cervical nodes, are caused by toxoplasmosis. [1][2][3][4] T gondii, the intracellular parasite that causes toxoplasma, exists in three forms: oocysts, tachyzoites and bradyzoites (tissue cysts). Oocysts contain sporozoites and are produced by completion of the reproductive cycle in the intestine of definitive hosts (felines).…”

Acute Toxoplasmosis Mimicking Melanoma Metastases: Review of Conditions Causing False-Positive Results on ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT

“…However, if a patient's immune system is impaired, serologic tests may be falsely negative [13]. Viguer et al [14] presented data about the cytological diagnosis of T. gondii , obtained with FNA biopsy which showed high sensitivity and specificity.…”