Gastrointestinal toxoplasmosis in a renal transplant patient

Abstract

Toxoplasmosis following renal transplantation is an uncommon condition, but is associated with high morbidity and mortality. It usually occurs in the first three months when immunosuppression is greater, being more common the presentation with encephalitis and pneumonitis. The involvement of the gastrointestinal tract is unusual and with nonspecific symptoms. Its diagnosis is a challenge because there is not always seroconversion in the early stages of infection or there is no histological evidence of the parasite; it is here that molecular biology and clinical history can be useful for a timely diagnosis that may favor a good outcome. The case of a patient with general symptoms, nausea and emesis in the early renal transplant period attributed initially to reactivation of cytomegalovirus with subsequent diagnosis of gastritis by Toxoplasma gondii, is described. He received treatment with trimethoprim sulfamethoxazole for six weeks with complete resolution of symptoms.