Toxoplasmosis

  • Infection with obligate intracellular protozoan Toxoplasma gondii
  • Infections occur in neonates via maternal transmission, or...
  • In adults as reactivation of dormant organisms acquired in utero, or...
  • As acquired infections through ingestion of poorly cooked meat or cat feces
  • Patients with AIDS and other immune-compromising conditions most vulnerable
  • Most common ophthalmic manifestation: focal retinitis
  • Less common ophthalmic manifestation: anterior uveitis
  • Chorioretinitis caused by herpes viruses, rubella, syphilis, toxocara canis, filarial worms, sarcoid, nocardia, candida
  • Coats disease
  • Vasculitis (including Behçet disease)
  • Lymphoma
  • Other Yellow-White Things in Retina
  • Refer neonates suspected of having TORCH infection to ophthalmologist
  • Diagnosis based on appearance of retinal lesion and positive ELISA blood test
  • Treatment includes systemic pyrimethamine, sulfadiazine, clindamycin, atovaquone, prednisone
  • Treatment effective in eliminating active lesions, but...
  • Permanent vision impairment common even in healed chorioretinitis if macular region has been involved