Necrotizing toxoplasmic encephalitis in a child with the X-linked hyper-IgM syndrome

We report on a 9-year-old boy with the hyper-IgM syndrome who presented with rapid impairment of consciousness. The brain CT scan showed multiple round lucencies, and the brain histology revealed necrotizing toxoplasmic encephalitis. This patient, whose CD40/CD40 ligand system was impaired, indicates the importance of this system for defence against toxoplasmic infection. CONCLUSION: Although disseminated toxoplasmosis is a rare complication of the hyper-IgM syndrome, it must be included in the differential diagnosis of infections.