| Autor: |
Buccheri R; Instituto de Infectologia Emílio Ribas, São Paulo, SP, Brasil., Kassab MJ; Instituto de Infectologia Emílio Ribas, São Paulo, SP, Brasil., Freitas VL; Departamento de Moléstias Infecciosas e Parasitárias, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil., Silva SC; Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil., Bezerra RC; Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil., Khoury Z; Instituto de Infectologia Emílio Ribas, São Paulo, SP, Brasil., Shikanai-Yasuda MA; Departamento de Moléstias Infecciosas e Parasitárias, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil., Vidal JE; Instituto de Infectologia Emílio Ribas, São Paulo, SP, Brasil. |
| Abstrakt: |
The reactivation of Chagas disease in HIV infected patients presents high mortality and morbidity. We present the case of a female patient with confirmed Chagasic meningoencephalitis as AIDS-defining illness. Interestingly, her TCD4+ lymphocyte cell count was 318 cells/mm3. After two months of induction therapy, one year of maintenance with benznidazol, and early introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), the patient had good clinical, parasitological and radiological evolution. We used a qualitative polymerase chain reaction for the monitoring of T. cruzi parasitemia during and after the treatment. We emphasize the potential value of molecular techniques along with clinical and radiological parameters in the follow-up of patients with Chagas disease and HIV infection. Early introduction of HAART, prolonged induction and maintenance of antiparasitic therapy, and its discontinuation are feasible, in the current management of reactivation of Chagas disease. |
