Pediatric Toxoplasmosis Differential Diagnoses

  • Author: Itzhak Brook, MD, MSc; Chief Editor: Russell W Steele, MD   more...
 
Updated: Sep 28, 2011
 
 

Diagnostic Considerations

Conditions to consider in the differential diagnosis of toxoplasmosis include the following:

  • Sarcoidosis
  • Sepsis
  • Syphilis
  • Tuberculosis
  • Tularemia

Conditions to consider in the differential diagnosis of congenital toxoplasmosis include the following:

  • Encephalopathies
  • Erythroblastosis fetalis
  • Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus infection
  • Rubella
  • Cytomegalovirus infection
  • Syphilis
  • Congenital hypertrophy of the retinal pigmented epithelium
  • Congenital retinal abnormalities

Conditions to consider in the differential diagnosis of Toxoplasma encephalitis include the following:

  • Vasculitis
  • Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy
  • Malignancy
  • Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus infection

Differentials

Proceed to Workup
 
 
Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Itzhak Brook, MD, MSc  Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Georgetown University School of Medicine

Itzhak Brook, MD, MSc is a member of the following medical societies: American Association for the Advancement of Science, American College of Physicians-American Society of Internal Medicine, American Federation for Clinical Research, American Medical Association, American Society for Microbiology, Armed Forces Infectious Diseases Society, Association of Military Surgeons of the US, Infectious Diseases Society of America, International Immunocompromised Host Society, International Society for Infectious Diseases, Medical Society of the District of Columbia, New York Academy of Sciences, Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society, Society for Ear, Nose and Throat Advances in Children, Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine, Society for Pediatric Research, Southern Medical Association, and Surgical Infection Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Hakan Leblebicioglu, MD  Chairman, Professor, Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Ondokuz Mayis University School of Medicine, Turkey

Hakan Leblebicioglu, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Society for Microbiology and European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Murat Hökelek, MD, PhD  Technical Consultant of Parasitology Laboratory, Professor, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Ondokuz Mayis University Medical School, Turkey

Murat Hökelek, MD, PhD is a member of the following medical societies: Turkish Society for Parasitology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Robert W Tolan Jr, MD  Chief, Division of Allergy, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, The Children's Hospital at Saint Peter's University Hospital; Clinical Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Drexel University College of Medicine

Robert W Tolan Jr, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, American Medical Association, American Society for Microbiology, American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, Infectious Diseases Society of America, Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society, Phi Beta Kappa, and Physicians for Social Responsibility

Disclosure: Novartis Honoraria Speaking and teaching

Mary L Windle, PharmD  Adjunct Associate Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Leslie L Barton, MD  Professor Emerita of Pediatrics, University of Arizona College of Medicine

Leslie L Barton, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, Association of Pediatric Program Directors, Infectious Diseases Society of America, and Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Russell W Steele, MD  Head, Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Ochsner Children's Health Center; Clinical Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Tulane University School of Medicine

Russell W Steele, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, American Association of Immunologists, American Pediatric Society, American Society for Microbiology, Infectious Diseases Society of America, Louisiana State Medical Society, Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society, Society for Pediatric Research, and Southern Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

References
  1. Hill DE, Chirukandoth S, Dubey JP. Biology and epidemiology of Toxoplasma gondii in man and animals. Anim Health Res Rev. Jun 2005;6(1):41-61. [Medline].

  2. Ferguson W, Mayne PD, Lennon B, Butler K, Cafferkey M. Susceptibility of pregnant women to toxoplasma infection--potential benefits for newborn screening. Ir Med J. Jul-Aug 2008;101(7):220-1. [Medline].

  3. Trikha I, Wig N. Management of toxoplasmosis in AIDS. Indian J Med Sci. 2001;55:87-98. [Medline].

  4. Jones JL, Lopez A, Wilson M, et al. Congenital toxoplasmosis: a review. Obstet Gynecol Surv. 2001;56:296-305. [Medline].

  5. Berrebi A, Assouline C, Bessieres MH, et al. Long-term outcome of children with congenital toxoplasmosis. Am J Obstet Gynecol. Jul 14 2010;[Medline].

  6. Bonfioli AA, Orefice F. Toxoplasmosis. Semin Ophthalmol. Jul-Sep 2005;20(3):129-41. [Medline].

  7. Foulon W, Naessens A, Ho-Yen D. Prevention of congenital toxoplasmosis. J Perinat Med. 2000;28:337-45. [Medline].

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