Clinical and epidemiological characteristics of individuals living with HIV and neurotoxoplasmosis in the western region of Pará State, Brazil

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:

Neurotoxoplasmosis (NTX) is a common opportunistic disease in people living with HIV (PLHIV), caused by the protozoan Toxoplasma gondii, which may arise when the CD4+ T lymphocyte count (CD4+ count) is < 100 cells/mm³.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the sociodemographic and clinical profiles of PLHIV who developed NTX in the interior of Pará State, Brazil.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

This is a descriptive, quantitative, and cross-sectional study. The sample consisted of 91 medical records of PLHIV diagnosed with NTX from a reference center in Santarém, Pará. Information on sociodemographic, clinical, and laboratory characteristics was sought in the medical records. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, with a significance level of p < 0.05.

RESULTS:

A higher prevalence of men (72.5%), brown skin color/race (85.7%), 4-7 years of education (42.9%), and single individuals (48.4%) was observed. The age at NTX diagnosis was higher than for HIV infection (33 vs. 32 years; p < 0.001), and men, compared to women, had a higher CD4+ count (73 vs. 49 cells/mm³; p = 0.028). The main clinical manifestations of NTX were hemiparesis/hemiplegia (25.9%) and headache (15.0%). No association was observed between gender and clinical manifestations, other opportunistic infections, or age at NTX diagnosis (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION:

Given the most relevant clinical manifestations, medical and healthcare team interventions should prioritize HIV serological testing, as the data demonstrated a delayed seeking of specialized healthcare services by patients.