Toxoplasma gondii

Traditionally, Toxoplasma gondii encephalitis was diagnosed using brain radioimaging techniques, culture and serology. Mouse inoculation is the ‘gold standard’ but is rarely performed these days and culture in cell lines is relatively slow and lacks sensitivity [3]. Serology is often used but it may be difficult to differentiate between past and current infection [6] and immunocompromised hosts may have a variable serological response. The detection of ring enhancing lesions in the brain by radioimaging is often used as an indicator of toxoplasmosis, however these signs may also be seen in lymphoma [4] and there are atypical presentations which make diagnosis difficult [5].