OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the frequency and the spectrum of pathological findings of extracerebral toxoplasmosis (ET) in AIDS patients. METHODS: Tissue specimens of 81 autopsied cases with AIDS were examined by conventional and immunohistological staining. A minimum of two slices of each tissue (brain, cardiac muscle, lung, liver, and lymph nodes) was examined in all cases. If, in those organs, toxoplasma organisms were detected, thyroid, prostate and adrenal glands, gastrointestinal tract, pancreas, spleen, kidneys and testes were also examined. RESULTS: Of 35 cases with toxoplasmosis, in 22 only cerebral, in 4 only extracerebral involvement and in 9 both was detected. Overall, ET was diagnosed in 13 (16.3%) cases. The following organs were involved: cardiac muscle in 16.2%, lungs in 6.3%, liver, gastrointestinal tract tract, adrenal glands and lymph nodes in 5% each, testes in 3.8%, prostate and thyroid glands in 2.5% each and kidneys in 1.3%. CONCLUSIONS: ET in AIDS patients seems to be rare, but more frequently than it has been reported. Brain and cardiac muscle, as the most involved organs, may be potential sources of reactivation and dissemination.

*Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/PATHOLOGY *AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections/EPIDEMIOLOGY *Toxoplasmosis/EPIDEMIOLOGY

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