Chagasic meningoencephalitis in the immunodeficient.

Based on their own experience and on the literature, the authors compare the brain pathology due to HIV+ associated Trypanosoma cruzi reactivated infection to that described for the natural history of the Chagas' disease (CD). The peculiar focal necrotizing chagasic meningoencephalitis (MECNF) which appears only in immunedeficient chagasics, especially when the deficiency is due HIV is a safe criterion for reactivation of CD. MECNF morphologic findings are unlike to those found either for some cases of acute phase CD or for chronic nervous form of CD.