Turkish Journal of Pathology

Türk Patoloji Dergisi

Turkish Journal of Pathology

Turkish Journal of Pathology

2006, Vol 22, Num, 1     (Pages: 057-060)

Cytologic diagnosis of toxoplasma gondii lymphadenitis: A case report

Aptullah HAHOLU 1, Şükrü YILDIRIM 1, Özgür KORU 2, Nurittin ARDIÇ 3, Hüseyin BALOĞLU 1

1 GATA Haydarpaşa Eğitim Hastanesi Patoloji Servis Şefliği, İstanbul
2 GATA Askeri Tıp Fakültesi Mikrobiyoloji ve Klinik Mikrobiyoloji Anabilim Dalı, Parazitoloji Bilim Dalı, İstanbul
3 GATA Haydarpaşa Eğitim Hastanesi Mikrobiyoloji ve Klinik Mikrobiyoloji Servis Şefliği, İstanbul

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The aim of this study is to present cytologic features of fine needle aspiration (FNA) of lymph node suggesting toxoplasmosis with demonstration of histiocytes containing tissue bradyzoites. A 3-year-old female presented with a mobile, tender, 3 cm diameter swelling in submandibular region. FNA smears showed features of reactive lymphoid hyperplasia with polymorphic cells including groups of histiyocytes. Many epitelioid histiocytes containing intracytoplasmic particules suggesting toxoplasma bradyzoites were also seen in a Papanicolaou -stained smear. Although serologic tests did not reveal a high titer of IgG and IgM-specific antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii, the diagnosis of Toxoplasma lymphadenitis was confirmed by demonstrating the sequence specific for toxoplasma genom of the DNA in the material scraped from the stained slides with PCR technique. FNA cytology is a valuable diagnostic tool for toxoplasma lymphadenitis, which especially demonstrates epithelioid histiocytes containing tissue bradyzoites. Although serology may not be supportive, PCR study may confirm the diagnosis.

Keywords : Toxoplasma lymphadenitis, cytology