ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To study the serologic profile of several types of test for toxoplasmosis, in order to contribute to the interpretation of antibody kinetics. METHODS: The clinical and serologic features of 120 cases of lymphadenopathy with known time of clinical onset were studied during 18 months postinfection. Antibody kinetics was determined by Sabin-Feldman dye test, complement fixation with light antigen, IgM immunofluorescent antibody test, and IgM immunosorbent agglutination assay (IgM-ISAGA). Cell-mediated immunity was evaluated by the toxoplasmin skin test. RESULTS: Seventy-five female patients aged 11-54 years (median 27 years) and 45 male patients aged 3-59 years (median 17 years) were studied, 85% of whom were under 30 years of age. Cervical lymph nodes were involved throughout, generally on both sides, with more than one affected ganglion group in 88%. The predominant symptom was asthenia (69%), which persisted in some cases for several months. A negative Sabin-Feldman dye test in a lymphadenopathy with more than three weeks' evolution excludes a toxoplasma etiology. A positive Sabin-Feldman dye test with negative IgM-ISAGA almost invariably excludes recent infection. The Sabin-Feldman dye test was positive in 94% of patients with titers higher than 1 : 16 000 within the first three months. The IgM-ISAGA yielded 98% of positive results, of which 94% were high titers. Titers >/= 1 : 160 in the IgM immunofluorescent antibody test and complement fixation were found to be highly indicative of recent infection, since 87% and 91%, respectively, were found within the first three months. A negative skin test plus positive serology values indicates recent infection. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that estimation of time of infection on the basis of serologic results is improved by the simultaneous application of several tests, and correlates closely with the presence of clinical lymphadenitis.
Subject(s)
Lymphadenitis/immunology , Lymphadenitis/physiopathology , Toxoplasmosis/immunology , Toxoplasmosis/physiopathology , Adolescent , Adult , Age Factors , Child , Child, Preschool , Complement Fixation Tests , Female , Fluorescent Antibody Technique , Humans , Immune Sera/immunology , Immunoglobulin M/immunology , Immunoglobulin M/metabolism , Kinetics , Lymphadenitis/diagnosis , Male , Middle Aged , Toxoplasmosis/diagnosisABSTRACT
El objetivo de este trabajo fue analizar las condiciones predisponentes, presentación clínica, evolución y complicaciones en un grupo de pacientes con el síndrome de shock tóxico. Se estudiaron 10 casos (en 9 pacientes), en una población de 18 meses a 73 años de edad, atendidos en el Hospital Alemán de Buenos Aires desde julio de 1982 a julio de 1991. Todos los pacientes incluidos presentaron los criterios diagnósticos del CDC: temperatura > 38,9º, hipotensión arterial severa, eritrodermia maculopapular, hiperemia de mucosas, descamación cutánea difusa, y despellejamiento en palmas y plantas en la convalecencia. El síndrome se presentó en el contexto de un postoperatorio (4 casos), de infecciones localizadas (5 casos) y uso de tampones vaginales (1 caso). Todos los pacientes presentaron falla multiparenquimatosa (X 3,8 órganos comprometidos simultáneamente), la más frecuente fue la insuficiencia renal (7 casos). Se aisló Staphylococcus aureus sensible a la oxacilina del foco séptico involucrado en todos los casos. Las fallas orgánicas recibieron el tratamiento convencional adecuado. Ningún paciente requirió asistencia respiratoria mecánica ni técnicas dialíticas. Todos los pacientes sobrevivieron. El SST es una entidad poco frecuente, asociada a infecciones por S. aureus meticilino sensible, que se presenta como un cuadro grave con afección multisistémica, pero que responde favorablemente al tratamiento antibiótico y de sostén de los parénquimas afectados y sin mortalidad en nuestra serie
Subject(s)
Child , Humans , Male , Female , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Exotoxins/adverse effects , Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome/microbiology , Staphylococcus aureus/immunology , Superantigens/adverse effects , Carrier State , Diagnosis, Differential , Retrospective Studies , Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome/etiology , Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome/physiopathology , Staphylococcal Scalded Skin Syndrome/physiopathology , Staphylococcus aureus/pathogenicity , Superantigens/physiology , Tampons, Surgical/adverse effectsABSTRACT
El objetivo de este trabajo fue analizar las condiciones predisponentes, presentación clínica, evolución y complicaciones en un grupo de pacientes con el síndrome de shock tóxico. Se estudiaron 10 casos (en 9 pacientes), en una población de 18 meses a 73 años de edad, atendidos en el Hospital Alemán de Buenos Aires desde julio de 1982 a julio de 1991. Todos los pacientes incluidos presentaron los criterios diagnósticos del CDC: temperatura > 38,9º, hipotensión arterial severa, eritrodermia maculopapular, hiperemia de mucosas, descamación cutánea difusa, y despellejamiento en palmas y plantas en la convalecencia. El síndrome se presentó en el contexto de un postoperatorio (4 casos), de infecciones
Subject(s)
Child , Humans , Male , Female , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome/microbiology , Exotoxins/adverse effects , Staphylococcus aureus/immunology , Superantigens/adverse effects , Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome/etiology , Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome/physiopathology , Diagnosis, Differential , Tampons, Surgical/adverse effects , Retrospective Studies , Staphylococcal Scalded Skin Syndrome/physiopathology , Staphylococcus aureus/pathogenicity , Superantigens/physiology , Carrier StateABSTRACT
Since septic sacroileitis is one of the less frequent localizations among joint infections, we decided to review 9 cases in a retrospective study of 5 females and 4 males, aged between 22 and 60 years old. None had a clinically predisposing condition. The initiating factor was gynecologic-obstetric in 4 women, the irruption of the skin barrier in 3 cases and finally in one case the infection reached the joint through the psoas muscle. Fever and lumbar pain were present in all cases and allowed diagnostic orientation. Radiologic and centellographic alterations were useful for clinical confirmation. An articular biopsypunction was performed in 4 cases, while in the other 5 cases the clinical and radiologic features and the bacteriologic positivity in the blood cultures were enough criteria for diagnosis. The bacteriologic findings were Staphylococcus aureus (4 cases), Streptococcus group A beta hemolítico (1 case), Staphylococcus coagulase negative (1 case), Streptococcus agalactiae (1 case), Proteus mirabilis (2 cases). Eight out of 9 patients were treated with a B-lactamic and aminoglycoside association. One patient received her treatment per os, with quinolones. Six patients recovered, 2 died and one needed to be sent to another hospital.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Adult , Middle Aged , Sacroiliac Joint , Arthritis, Infectious/diagnosis , Arthritis, Infectious/microbiology , Arthritis, Infectious/drug therapy , Retrospective Studies , Drug Therapy, Combination , Gram-Positive Bacteria/isolation & purification , Anti-Bacterial AgentsABSTRACT
Since septic sacroileitis is one of the less frequent localizations among joint infections, we decided to review 9 cases in a retrospective study of 5 females and 4 males, aged between 22 and 60 years old. None had a clinically predisposing condition. The initiating factor was gynecologic-obstetric in 4 women, the irruption of the skin barrier in 3 cases and finally in one case the infection reached the joint through the psoas muscle. Fever and lumbar pain were present in all cases and allowed diagnostic orientation. Radiologic and centellographic alterations were useful for clinical confirmation. An articular biopsypunction was performed in 4 cases, while in the other 5 cases the clinical and radiologic features and the bacteriologic positivity in the blood cultures were enough criteria for diagnosis. The bacteriologic findings were Staphylococcus aureus (4 cases), Streptococcus group A beta hemolítico (1 case), Staphylococcus coagulase negative (1 case), Streptococcus agalactiae (1 case), Proteus mirabilis (2 cases). Eight out of 9 patients were treated with a B-lactamic and aminoglycoside association. One patient received her treatment per os, with quinolones. Six patients recovered, 2 died and one needed to be sent to another hospital.
Subject(s)
Arthritis, Infectious/diagnosis , Sacroiliac Joint , Adult , Anti-Bacterial Agents , Arthritis, Infectious/drug therapy , Arthritis, Infectious/microbiology , Drug Therapy, Combination , Female , Gram-Positive Bacteria/isolation & purification , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Retrospective StudiesABSTRACT
Since septic sacroileitis is one of the less frequent localizations among joint infections, we decided to review 9 cases in a retrospective study of 5 females and 4 males, aged between 22 and 60 years old. None had a clinically predisposing condition. The initiating factor was gynecologic-obstetric in 4 women, the irruption of the skin barrier in 3 cases and finally in one case the infection reached the joint through the psoas muscle. Fever and lumbar pain were present in all cases and allowed diagnostic orientation. Radiologic and centellographic alterations were useful for clinical confirmation. An articular biopsypunction was performed in 4 cases, while in the other 5 cases the clinical and radiologic features and the bacteriologic positivity in the blood cultures were enough criteria for diagnosis. The bacteriologic findings were Staphylococcus aureus (4 cases), Streptococcus group A beta hemolítico (1 case), Staphylococcus coagulase negative (1 case), Streptococcus agalactiae (1 case), Proteus mirabilis (2 cases). Eight out of 9 patients were treated with a B-lactamic and aminoglycoside association. One patient received her treatment per os, with quinolones. Six patients recovered, 2 died and one needed to be sent to another hospital.
ABSTRACT
Se estudió mediante urocultivos pre y post-ESWL (litotricia extracorpórea con ondas de choque) y hemocultivos a pacientes, con cálculos coraliformes y sin signos clínicos de infección urinaria. Se incorporaron al estudio 80 pacientes adultos, 47 del sexo femenino y 33 del sexo masculino. A los 50 primeros pacientes se les tomaron 3 muestras de hemocultivos, durante el procedimiento. Los 150 hemocultivos fueron negativos y ninguno de los 80 pacientes tuvo fiebre, escalofríos e temblores durante el ESWL. Cuarenta y dos pacientes presentaron urocultivo pre-ESWL positivo (52,5 por ciento) con un total de 43 especies bacterianas, ya que hubo un caso con infección mixta. Se aislaron 49 especies bacterianas en 48 urocultivos positivos post-ESWL (60 por ciento. Seis casos presentaron bacteriuria post-ESWL que no había estado presente en el examen pre-ESWL. Los hallazgos bacteriológicos pre-post-ESWL fueron: Proteus mirabilis (22/22). E. coli (11/11), P. aeruginosa (4/5), Klebsiella pneumoniae (2/2). Enterobacter cloacae (0/1), Alcaligenes odorans (1/2), Enterococcus faecalis (1/3), Staphylococcus saprophyticus (1/2) y Candida albicans (1/1). En total 43/49, y la diferencia fueron 6 especies bacterianas. De acuerdo con nuestros resultados el riesgo de bacteriemia para este grupo sería muy bajo. En el 60 por ciento de los cálculos coraliformes se pudo demostrar una infección bacteriana
Subject(s)
Adult , Humans , Male , Female , Kidney Calculi/therapy , Lithotripsy/adverse effects , Gram-Negative Bacteria/isolation & purification , Gram-Positive Bacteria/isolation & purification , Kidney Calculi/microbiology , Candida albicans/isolation & purificationABSTRACT
Se estudió mediante urocultivos pre y post-ESWL (litotricia extracorpórea con ondas de choque) y hemocultivos a pacientes, con cálculos coraliformes y sin signos clínicos de infección urinaria. Se incorporaron al estudio 80 pacientes adultos, 47 del sexo femenino y 33 del sexo masculino. A los 50 primeros pacientes se les tomaron 3 muestras de hemocultivos, durante el procedimiento. Los 150 hemocultivos fueron negativos y ninguno de los 80 pacientes tuvo fiebre, escalofríos e temblores durante el ESWL. Cuarenta y dos pacientes presentaron urocultivo pre-ESWL positivo (52,5 por ciento) con un total de 43 especies bacterianas, ya que hubo un caso con infección mixta. Se aislaron 49 especies bacterianas en 48 urocultivos positivos post-ESWL (60 por ciento. Seis casos presentaron bacteriuria post-ESWL que no había estado presente en el examen pre-ESWL. Los hallazgos bacteriológicos pre-post-ESWL fueron: Proteus mirabilis (22/22). E. coli (11/11), P. aeruginosa (4/5), Klebsiella pneumoniae (2/2). Enterobacter cloacae (0/1), Alcaligenes odorans (1/2), Enterococcus faecalis (1/3), Staphylococcus saprophyticus (1/2) y Candida albicans (1/1). En total 43/49, y la diferencia fueron 6 especies bacterianas. De acuerdo con nuestros resultados el riesgo de bacteriemia para este grupo sería muy bajo. En el 60 por ciento de los cálculos coraliformes se pudo demostrar una infección bacteriana (AU)
Subject(s)
Adult , Humans , Male , Female , Kidney Calculi/therapy , Lithotripsy/adverse effects , Kidney Calculi/microbiology , Gram-Negative Bacteria/isolation & purification , Gram-Positive Bacteria/isolation & purification , Candida albicans/isolation & purificationABSTRACT
Struvite renal stones are caused by infection of the urine with bacteria that synthesize the enzyme urease. Ammonium is released by the breakdown of urea by urease, the urine becomes highly alkaline, and magnesium ammonium phosphate (struvite) and carbonate apatite crystallize. Incorporation of the infecting bacteria within the developing stone, results in a focus of infection that is resistant to conventional antimicrobial therapy, and which is manifested clinically by repeated urinary tract infection caused by persistent bacteriuria. Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) currently is accepted as the election treatment for most renal calculi. This trial examines the bacteriologic aspects pre and post-ESWL. Eighty adult patients, 47 females and 33 males, without clinical signs of urinary tract infections (UTI) were submitted to urine cultures pre and post-ESWL. The first 50 patients underwent during and post-ESWL, 150 blood cultures, which all proved to be negative, confirming very low risk of generalized sepsis. No patient presented fever, chills or rigors pre or postprocedures. With respect to urine cultures 43 patients (52.5%) had a pre-ESWL UTI, in comparison to 49 (60%) who had a UTI post-ESWL. The distribution of organisms pre and post-ESWL was as follows: Proteus mirabilis (22/22), Escherichia coli (11/11), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (4/5), Klebsiella pneumoniae (2/2), Enterobacter cloacae (0/1), Alcaligenes odorans (1/2) Enterococcus faecalis (1/3), Staphylococcus saprophyticus (1/2) and Candida albicans (1/1). In this study 6 patients presented bacteriuria post-ESWL probably due to bacteria from inside the calculi. According to these results, the risk of bacteremia seems to be very low. In 60% of staghorn renal stones we could demonstrate a bacterial infection.
Subject(s)
Bacterial Infections/etiology , Kidney Calculi/therapy , Kidney Calices , Lithotripsy/adverse effects , Urinary Tract Infections/etiology , Adult , Female , Humans , Kidney Calculi/microbiology , MaleABSTRACT
Besides the AIDS-related form of Kaposi sarcoma (KS) there are few well-known aggressive types of this disease. These non-epidemic invasive variants of KS have been recognized in young black males of equatorial Africa and in renal transplant recipients after iatrogenic immunosuppression. We report on two white patients without known risk factors who presented an invasive clinical form of KS with negative serology for HIV infection. Patient 1: 46 year-old white male of Italian origin without known risk factors. He consulted in September 1990 because of a nephrotic syndrome associated with membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis. On physical examination he presented a violaceous nodule in one toe of the right foot. He received prednisolone with amelioration of the renal disorder, but consulted again some months later because of fever, marked weight loss, generalized enlargement of superficial lymph nodes, autoimmune hemolytic anemia and polyclonal hypergammaglobulinemia. ELISA tests, Western-blot and HIV-antigen investigations were repeatedly negative. CD4 and CD8 counts were 450 and 365 per microlitre respectively. A lymph node biopsy demonstrated KS associated to Castleman's disease. KS was also diagnosed in the skin biopsy. The hemolytic anemia was treated with prednisolone without success and KS cutaneous lesions extended to both legs and ulcerated even after a short course of bleomycin and radiotherapy. The patient died nine months later. Patient 2: 38 year-old white male of German origin, with a history of alcoholism. He was admitted to the hospital because of septic shock associated with hepatic failure. On physical examination he presented ascites, liver and spleen enlargement, and a big subcutaneous nodule on the knee covered with normal skin.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Subject(s)
Castleman Disease/pathology , HIV Seronegativity , Sarcoma, Kaposi/pathology , Adult , Fatal Outcome , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Neoplasm Invasiveness , Nephrotic Syndrome/pathologyABSTRACT
El sarcoma de Kaposi (SK) es una entidad que ha aumentado significativamente en la última década debido al surgimiento del SIDA. La evolución y pronóstico en estos pacientes se diferencia a la del SK clásico. Ultimamente se ha informado acerca de su observación en pacientes con serología negativa para el HIV, pero con factores de riesgo para contraer dicho virus. Presentamos acá dos pacientes jóvenes SK, diagnosticados en nuestro hospital en el último año, con serologia negativa para HIV, y sin conductas admitidas de riesgo para SIDA. El primer paciente debutó con un síndrome nefrótico. Luego del tratamento del mismo presentó cuadro de impregnación general, fiebre y adenopatías. La anatomia patológica de una de ellas reveló SK asociado a enfermedad de Castleman. Se realizaron estudios serológicos para HIV en repetidas ocasiones, que resultaron negativos. El segundo paciente ingresó al hospital por una sepsis a Proteus mirabilis y falleció a las 48 hs. La serología para HIV habia sido negativa. Exámenes post-mortem del hígado y de una tumoración que presentaba en rodilla revelaron SK. Nos ha resultado difícil incluir a estos pacientes en algunas de las variantes de SK descriptas habitualmente
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Adult , Middle Aged , Castleman Disease/pathology , Sarcoma, Kaposi/pathology , HIV Seropositivity/diagnosis , Neoplasm Invasiveness , Nephrotic Syndrome/pathologyABSTRACT
El sarcoma de Kaposi (SK) es una entidad que ha aumentado significativamente en la última década debido al surgimiento del SIDA. La evolución y pronóstico en estos pacientes se diferencia a la del SK clásico. Ultimamente se ha informado acerca de su observación en pacientes con serología negativa para el HIV, pero con factores de riesgo para contraer dicho virus. Presentamos acá dos pacientes jóvenes SK, diagnosticados en nuestro hospital en el último año, con serologia negativa para HIV, y sin conductas admitidas de riesgo para SIDA. El primer paciente debutó con un síndrome nefrótico. Luego del tratamento del mismo presentó cuadro de impregnación general, fiebre y adenopatías. La anatomia patológica de una de ellas reveló SK asociado a enfermedad de Castleman. Se realizaron estudios serológicos para HIV en repetidas ocasiones, que resultaron negativos. El segundo paciente ingresó al hospital por una sepsis a Proteus mirabilis y falleció a las 48 hs. La serología para HIV habia sido negativa. Exámenes post-mortem del hígado y de una tumoración que presentaba en rodilla revelaron SK. Nos ha resultado difícil incluir a estos pacientes en algunas de las variantes de SK descriptas habitualmente (AU)
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Adult , Middle Aged , Sarcoma, Kaposi/pathology , Castleman Disease/pathology , Nephrotic Syndrome/pathology , HIV Seropositivity/diagnosis , Neoplasm InvasivenessABSTRACT
Besides the AIDS-related form of Kaposi sarcoma (KS) there are few well-known aggressive types of this disease. These non-epidemic invasive variants of KS have been recognized in young black males of equatorial Africa and in renal transplant recipients after iatrogenic immunosuppression. We report on two white patients without known risk factors who presented an invasive clinical form of KS with negative serology for HIV infection. Patient 1: 46 year-old white male of Italian origin without known risk factors. He consulted in September 1990 because of a nephrotic syndrome associated with membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis. On physical examination he presented a violaceous nodule in one toe of the right foot. He received prednisolone with amelioration of the renal disorder, but consulted again some months later because of fever, marked weight loss, generalized enlargement of superficial lymph nodes, autoimmune hemolytic anemia and polyclonal hypergammaglobulinemia. ELISA tests, Western-blot and HIV-antigen investigations were repeatedly negative. CD4 and CD8 counts were 450 and 365 per microlitre respectively. A lymph node biopsy demonstrated KS associated to Castlemans disease. KS was also diagnosed in the skin biopsy. The hemolytic anemia was treated with prednisolone without success and KS cutaneous lesions extended to both legs and ulcerated even after a short course of bleomycin and radiotherapy. The patient died nine months later. Patient 2: 38 year-old white male of German origin, with a history of alcoholism. He was admitted to the hospital because of septic shock associated with hepatic failure. On physical examination he presented ascites, liver and spleen enlargement, and a big subcutaneous nodule on the knee covered with normal skin.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
ABSTRACT
Struvite renal stones are caused by infection of the urine with bacteria that synthesize the enzyme urease. Ammonium is released by the breakdown of urea by urease, the urine becomes highly alkaline, and magnesium ammonium phosphate (struvite) and carbonate apatite crystallize. Incorporation of the infecting bacteria within the developing stone, results in a focus of infection that is resistant to conventional antimicrobial therapy, and which is manifested clinically by repeated urinary tract infection caused by persistent bacteriuria. Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) currently is accepted as the election treatment for most renal calculi. This trial examines the bacteriologic aspects pre and post-ESWL. Eighty adult patients, 47 females and 33 males, without clinical signs of urinary tract infections (UTI) were submitted to urine cultures pre and post-ESWL. The first 50 patients underwent during and post-ESWL, 150 blood cultures, which all proved to be negative, confirming very low risk of generalized sepsis. No patient presented fever, chills or rigors pre or postprocedures. With respect to urine cultures 43 patients (52.5
) had a pre-ESWL UTI, in comparison to 49 (60
) who had a UTI post-ESWL. The distribution of organisms pre and post-ESWL was as follows: Proteus mirabilis (22/22), Escherichia coli (11/11), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (4/5), Klebsiella pneumoniae (2/2), Enterobacter cloacae (0/1), Alcaligenes odorans (1/2) Enterococcus faecalis (1/3), Staphylococcus saprophyticus (1/2) and Candida albicans (1/1). In this study 6 patients presented bacteriuria post-ESWL probably due to bacteria from inside the calculi. According to these results, the risk of bacteremia seems to be very low. In 60
of staghorn renal stones we could demonstrate a bacterial infection.
ABSTRACT
Con el objeto de valorar el compromiso hepático en el curso de una toxoplasmosis aguda adquirida, se efectúo punción biopsia hepática a 9 pacientes adultos: 8 con linfadenitis y con meningoencefalitis el caso restante. Todos los pacientes alcanzaron títulos de Sabin-Feldman de 1:64.0000 y con la reacción de fijación de complemento superaron la dilución de 1:80. Presentaron hepatomegalia 7 de 9 pacientes. El hepatograma mostró una ASAT con una media de 30 UI/L (VR:20), una ALAT de 51 UI/L (VR:20), fosfatasa alcalina de 68 UI/L (VR:10-50) y GGT de 75 UI/L (VR:5-35). El cuadro histológico consistió en una hiperplasia e hipertrofia kupfferiana difusa con tendencia a conformar acúmulos focales en dos casos. No se observaron granulomas ni colestasis. La necrosis hepatocítica fue muy frecuente (6 de 9 casos) siempre focal y de poca monta y mostró en algún caso tendencia a localizarse en la zona centrolobulillar. El infiltrado portal fue constante en todos los casos a predominio neto de células mononucleares, pero sin tendencia a la destrucción de la lámina hepatocítica limitante. En tres casos se observaron francos signos de regeneración con abundantes hepatocitos binucleados y en un caso mitosis. La imagen histológica resultante es la de una hepatitis reactiva inespecífica. El sustrato morfológico explica la escasa repercución clínica y bioquímica que se observa en estos pacientes. La necrosis focal parece ser el hallazgo más constante junto a la hiperplasia kupfferiana difusa o focal
Subject(s)
Humans , Adolescent , Adult , Middle Aged , Hepatitis/etiology , Toxoplasmosis/complications , Hepatitis/diagnosis , Hepatitis/pathology , Lymphadenitis/blood , Lymphadenitis/etiology , Toxoplasmosis/diagnosis , Toxoplasmosis/pathologyABSTRACT
Con el objeto de valorar el compromiso hepático en el curso de una toxoplasmosis aguda adquirida, se efectúo punción biopsia hepática a 9 pacientes adultos: 8 con linfadenitis y con meningoencefalitis el caso restante. Todos los pacientes alcanzaron títulos de Sabin-Feldman de 1:64.0000 y con la reacción de fijación de complemento superaron la dilución de 1:80. Presentaron hepatomegalia 7 de 9 pacientes. El hepatograma mostró una ASAT con una media de 30 UI/L (VR:20), una ALAT de 51 UI/L (VR:20), fosfatasa alcalina de 68 UI/L (VR:10-50) y GGT de 75 UI/L (VR:5-35). El cuadro histológico consistió en una hiperplasia e hipertrofia kupfferiana difusa con tendencia a conformar acúmulos focales en dos casos. No se observaron granulomas ni colestasis. La necrosis hepatocítica fue muy frecuente (6 de 9 casos) siempre focal y de poca monta y mostró en algún caso tendencia a localizarse en la zona centrolobulillar. El infiltrado portal fue constante en todos los casos a predominio neto de células mononucleares, pero sin tendencia a la destrucción de la lámina hepatocítica limitante. En tres casos se observaron francos signos de regeneración con abundantes hepatocitos binucleados y en un caso mitosis. La imagen histológica resultante es la de una hepatitis reactiva inespecífica. El sustrato morfológico explica la escasa repercución clínica y bioquímica que se observa en estos pacientes. La necrosis focal parece ser el hallazgo más constante junto a la hiperplasia kupfferiana difusa o focal (AU)
