Disseminated toxoplasmosis in marrow recipients: a report of three cases and a review of the literature

Abstract

Toxoplasma infection following bone marrow transplantation (BMT) is infrequently reported. We report three cases of disseminated toxoplasmosis in BMT recipients documented during an 8-year period at our institution: one after an unrelated marrow transplant in a toxoplasma-seronegative patient, the second complicating syngeneic marrow transplantation, and the third following allogeneic, related BMT. The disease is extremely rare in seronegative patients and has not been previously reported in syngeneic recipients. Toxoplasmosis was diagnosed at autopsy in two of the three cases. We also present a review of all reported cases of toxoplasmosis in marrow recipients from North American and other BMT centers. Heightened awareness of the occurrence of toxoplasmosis in marrow recipients and early diagnostic/therapeutic measures are needed for a better outcome.