NEUROTOXOPLASMOSIS BOARDING IN PATIENTS WITH HIV/AIDS IN INTENSIVE CARE UNIT NEUROTOXOPLASMOSE EM PACIENTES COM HIV/AIDS INTERNADOS EM UNIDADE DE TERAPIA INTENSIVA TOXOPLASMOSIS CEREBRAL EN PACIENTES CON VIH/SIDA HOSPITALIZADOS EN LA UNIDAD DE CUIDADOS INTENSIVOS

Objective: to investigate the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of toxoplasmic encephalitis in patients with HIV/aids. Method: retrospective study, in the period 2004 to 2008, in the Intensive Care Unit of a referral hospital in infectious diseases in the State of Ceara, with a quantitative approach and sample comprised 75 records of patients diagnosed with HIV/AIDS and Neurotoxoplasmosis. Data collection was performed with structured form and previously tested in a pilot study. The data were tabulated in Excel program and then created a database where the percentages were calculates and frequency of events analyzed. Data were presented descriptively and analyzed in the literature. The study was conducted in accordance with the ethical principles of Resolution 196/96 National Health and approved by the Ethics Committee of the institution (CEP 040/2008) with number CAAE 0052.0.042.000-08. Results: we identified the prevalence of males in 54 (72%) patients as compared to females (28%). With the diagnosis of cerebral toxoplasmosis, 69.3% (52) had been diagnosed for less than one year, 20% (15) for more than one year and 10.7% (8) was ignored. The length of ICU stay was less than 30 days in 90.3% (68) of cases and more than 30 days in 9.3% (7). Major complications were pressure ulcers, bleeding, pneumonia, shock and obstruction of the tracheostomy. Conclusion: we conclude that despite the importance of intensive care patients with HIV/aids co-infections continue to be factors aggravating the clinical condition of these patients. Descriptors: toxoplasmosis, cerebral; aids; aids-related opportunistic infections.