Toxoplasma gondii Pneumonitis in Patients Infected With the Human Immunodeficiency Virus

Pulmonary toxoplasmosis is a rarely recognized opportunistic infection in immunocompromised patients. A few case reports have described pulmonary toxoplasmosis in human immunodeficiency virus—infected patients in association with Toxoplasma gondii central nervous system disease. We encountered six cases of pulmonary toxoplasmosis in human immunodeficiency virus—infected patients who presented with a protracted febrile illness, respiratory symptoms, and an abnormal chest roentgenogram in the absence of neurologic findings. No clinical or roentgenographic features distinguished T gondii pneumonitis from more common opportunistic pulmonary infections. As the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome epidemic progresses, the presenting illnesses have evolved. Toxoplasma gondii must be considered a potential cause of pulmonary disease during the evaluation of human immunodeficiency virus—infected patients with respiratory symptoms.