Tumor-like lesion of the brain caused by Trypanosoma cruzi

Abstract

A 62-year-old man with a 2-year history of pruritus and erythematous skin lesions developed neurological symptoms 3 weeks before death. Autopsy studies revealed an isolated tumor-like lesion of the brain caused by leishmanial forms of Trypanosoma cruzi. Search for parasites in organs other than the brain was negative. This is believed to be the first report of an isolated cerebral infection by T. cruzi, identified in post-mortem histological preparations.