The comparison of cognitive function disorder before and after early therapy for cerebral toxoplasmosis in HIV/AIDS patients

Abstract

Introduction: Toxoplasmosis is a common opportunistic disease that also affects human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients, but there are currently no research studies about cognitive function in cerebral toxoplasmosis patients, especially in terms of the effect of early treatment for this disease. The aim of the study was to compare cognitive function disorder of cerebral toxoplasmosis patients before and after early treatment of cerebral toxoplasmosis. Material and methods: The longitudinal study were conducted among neuroinfection patients who registered in the Neurology Department of Saiful Anwar Hospital, Malang, Indonesia during JanuaryDecember 2016. The inclusion criteria were: cerebral toxoplasmosis patients, HIV-positive status, head computed tomography (CT) scan performed, IgG and IgM toxoplasmosis, and patients willing participate in the study. The exclusion criteria were: other masses in the brain besides toxoplasmaderived, depression, patients not cooperative, or loss of consciousness. Samples were taken by continuous random sampling with Mini-Mental State Examination and Clock Drawing Test. The duration for anti-toxoplasma early therapy was 2-4 weeks. Results: From a total of 31 patients, 13 patients met the inclusion criteria, with an average age of 37 years old (range, 26-67 years). The average CD4+ was 45.75 dl (8-85 dl). The result of cognitive function examination for pre-therapy was 24.85 and after therapy 26.54 (p = 0.07). The clock-drawing test before treatment was 3.15 and increased to 3.39 after treatment (p = 0.41). Conclusion: No significant difference in cognitive function disorder before and after cerebral toxoplasmosis early therapy was found. HIV AIDS Rev 2020; 19, 1: 30-33 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/hivar.2020.93159