THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CD4 LEVELS AND FEATURES TOXOPLASMOSIS ENCEPHALITIS FROM NON-CONTRAST HEAD CT-SCAN HIV PATIENTS

Background: HIV/AIDS is known to cause central nervous system disorders, including opportunistic infections such as toxoplasmosis, triggered by Toxoplasma gondii. The activation of T. gondii is particularly prevalent in immunocompromised individuals, especially those with CD4 counts below 50. CT scans are commonly used for diagnosing cerebral toxoplasmosis. Methods: This analytical research employs a cross-sectional design starting from February 2023 at H. Adam Malik General Hospital, Medan. Descriptive data analysis includes variables like age, gender, and CD4 levels. Bivariate analysis was conducted using Chi-square and Fisher Exact tests. Results: The majority of subjects were male (66.7%), with an average age of 36.43 years. Sixty percent of patients had CD4 levels < 200 cells/mm3, while 40% had CD4 levels > 200 cells/mm3. Conclusion: HIV patients with toxoplasmosis encephalitis typically exhibit clinical symptoms such as headaches and altered consciousness. CD4 levels are associated with the localization of lesions in brain lobes (frontal, occipital, temporal, parietal) and perifocal edema.