Ocular involvement in AIDS patients with central nervous system toxoplasmosis: before and after HAART

PURPOSE: To describe the ophthalmologic involvement in patients with Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome - AIDS and central nervous system toxoplasmosis comparing the period before and after highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). METHODS: In a retrospective study, we compared 118 Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome patients with central nervous system toxoplasmosis who were examined at our institution before highly active antiretroviral therapy (from 1994 - 1996) with 24 patients with Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome and central nervous system toxoplasmosis who were being treated with highly active antiretroviral therapy (from 1996 -1999). All patients were submitted to a complete ophthalmological examination as well as specific tests to confirm the diagnosis and there was no intersection between the groups. RESULTS: In the pre- highly active antiretroviral therapy group, it was found that 23% of the patients with central nervous system toxoplasmosis had also ocular toxoplasmosis. Ocular involvement was bilateral in 37.2% of the cases. In the group of patients receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy, who had an average CD4 of 256 cells/mm³ and average of viral load of 52,620 copies, 16.6% had concomitant ocular and central nervous system toxoplasmosis. Ocular involvement was bilateral in 50% of the cases. CONCLUSIONS: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome patients with central nervous system toxoplasmosis have a frequent association with ocular toxoplasmosis. Although the incidence of opportunistic infections has decreased since the introduction of recent antiretroviral therapeutic strategies ocular toxoplasmosis continues to be frequent in patients with cen.ral nervous system toxoplasmosis.OBJETIVO: Descrever o comprometimento ocular em pacientes com AIDS e toxoplasmose do sistema nervoso central, comparando os períodos pré e pós-terapia anti-retroviral (HAART). MÉTODOS: Em estudo retrospectivo, comparamos 118 pacientes com AIDS e toxoplasmose do sistema nervoso central que foram examinados em nossa instituição antes do pré e pós-terapia anti-retroviral (1994-1996) com 24 pacientes com AIDS e toxoplasmose do sistema nervoso central que foram tratados com pré e pós-terapia anti-retroviral (1996-1999). Todos os pacientes foram submetidos a exame oftalmológico completo e a testes específicos para confirmar o diagnóstico e não houve interseção entre os grupos. RESULTADOS: No grupo pré e pós-terapia anti-retroviral, foi encontrado 23% de toxoplasmose ocular entre os pacientes com toxoplasmose do sistema nervoso central. O envolvimento ocular foi bilateral em 37% dos casos. No grupo dos pacientes que receberam pré e pós-terapia anti-retroviral, que tinham CD4 médio de 256 cel/mm³ e carga viral média de 52.620 cópias, 16,6% apresentaram concomitantemente toxoplasmose ocular e toxoplasmose do sistema nervoso central. O envolvimento ocular foi bilateral em 50% dos casos. CONCLUSÃO: Pacientes com AIDS e toxoplasmose do sistema nervoso central apresentam freqüente associação com toxoplasmose ocular. Embora a incidência de infecções oportunistas tenha diminuído desde a introdução de pré e pós-terapia anti-retroviral, a toxoplasmose ocular continua sendo freqüente em pacientes com toxoplasmose do sistema nervoso central.Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP)UNIFESP Departamento de OftalmologiaUNIFESP, Depto. de OftalmologiaSciEL