Toxoplasmosis with chorioretinitis in an HIV-infected child with no visual complaints-importance of fundus examination

Abstract

Central nervous system lesions are common in HIV-infected patients. In the combination anti-retroviral therapy (ART) era, Toxoplasma reactivation has been observed only in patients with unrecognized HIV infection or refusing therapy. We present the case of 10-year-old girl with AIDS who initially presented with pneumonia. She was treated for pneumonia and thereafter started on ART as her CD4 count was low. However, 5 days after starting ART she presented with left ptosis and right-sided monoparesis. She was diagnosed with neurotoxoplasmosis and responded successfully to pyrimethamine- sulfadoxine therapy. Though she had no vision difficulties, her fundus examination revealed chorioretinitis during the hospital stay. We emphasize the importance of routine fundus examination prior to starting ART to rule out chorioretinitis even in an older child with no visual complaints.