Toxoplasmosis as an Early Complication of Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation

Abstract

Among 419 consecutive allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant recipients, we observed 17 (4.0%) cases of toxoplasmosis at a median time of day 45 (range, 6 to 322) after transplant. Seven of these 17 cases occurred before day 30 after transplant. Because of the lack of PCR screening and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole prophylaxis before engraftment, the diagnosis of toxoplasmosis was late, and 5 of these 7 patients died. Analyzing these cases, early Toxoplasma blood PCR screening, starting from transplant, is crucial.

Keywords: Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation; PCR; Toxoplasma gondii; Toxoplasmosis; Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole.