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Acquired toxoplasmosis accompanied by facial nerve palsy in an immunocompetent 5-year-old child.

TitleAcquired toxoplasmosis accompanied by facial nerve palsy in an immunocompetent 5-year-old child.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2010
AuthorsGalli-Tsinopoulou, A., Kyrgios I., Giannopoulou E. Z., Gourgoulia S., Maggana I., Katechaki E., Chatzidimitriou D., & Evangeliou A. E.
JournalJ Child Neurol
Volume25
Issue12
Pagination1525-8
Date Published2010 Dec
ISSN1708-8283
KeywordsAnimals, Child, Preschool, Facial Nerve, Facial Nerve Diseases, Humans, Male, Toxoplasmosis, Treatment Outcome
Abstract

Acquired toxoplasmosis, although relatively common in children, is usually asymptomatic but can also be clinically manifested by a benign and self-limited infectious mononucleosis-like syndrome. Neurological complications are very rare in immunocompetent children. The authors report a 5-year-old boy who presented with cervical lymphadenopathy because of acquired toxoplasmosis accompanied with unilateral facial nerve paralysis. Toxoplasma gondii DNA detection in blood by polymerase chain reaction, as well as elevated specific immunoglobulin M antibodies against it, established the diagnosis. Characteristic brain lesions on magnetic resonance imaging were absent and ophthalmologic examination revealed no inflammatory lesions in the retina and choroid. Treatment with pyrimethamine, sulfadiazine, and folic acid resulted in a complete recovery after 2 months of therapy. Although rare, acute facial nerve paralysis of unknown origin can be caused by acquired toxoplasmosis even in the immunocompetent pediatric population. Elevated titers of specific antibodies and the presence of parasite's DNA are key findings for the correct diagnosis.

DOI10.1177/0883073810370480
Alternate JournalJ. Child Neurol.
PubMed ID21148450

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