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At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMed2005

Specific antibody levels in the aqueous humor and serum of two distinct populations of patients with ocular toxoplasmosis.

The population of Erechim, Southern Brazil, is characterized by a high incidence of ocular toxoplasmosis, which is presumed to be of acquired origin. We wished to compare the local specific humoral immune response of individuals from this region with that of Swiss patients suffering from the same disease. Paired samples of aqueous humor and serum were withdrawn from 27 Brazilian and 50 Swiss patients presenting consecutively with active ocular toxoplasmosis. The total and specific levels of IgG in each of these were determined. The populations did not differ with respect either to age or sex. The serum levels of total IgG in Brazilian (10.8 g/l) and Swiss patients (11.1 g/l) were similar (p = 0.499), but the aqueous humor ones were higher in the former group (95 vs. 20 mg/l; p = 0.0001). The systemic and local levels of specific IgG were likewise higher in Brazilian patients [206 i.u. vs. 72 i.u. (p = 0.001) and 14 i.u. vs. 4 i.u. (p = 0.005), respectively] and the number of individuals without detectable levels of local specific IgG was correspondingly lower (11% vs. 54%; p = 0.0005). The Goldmann-Witmer coefficient (an index of local specific antibody production) did not differ between Brazilian and Swiss patients (2.1 vs. 0.08, respectively; p = 0.107). Our findings are indicative of a more pronounced uveovascular barrier breakdown in Brazilians than in Swiss patients with active ocular toxoplasmosis. That the systemic and local specific immune response is weaker in Swiss than in Brazilian patients has not been hitherto documented. This finding may reflect differences in the immunological handling of the infection.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

[Ocular toxoplasmosis: value of immunoblotting for the determination of an intra-ocular synthesis of antibodies].

The aim of this study was to demonstrate the intraocular synthesis of specific antibodies in case of Toxoplasma retinochoroiditis on the basis of immunoblot analysis. Vitreous or aqueous and serum were analyzed by immunoblot in four cases of toxoplasmic chorioretinitis. The same assays were performed on samples from 16 control subjects. Immunoblot analysis of serum and ocular fluid from patients with toxoplasmic chorioretinitis showed IgG and IgA specific antibodies. Recognition patterns were different and demonstrated neo-antibodies in ocular fluid. In control samples only IgG were found and the same patterns were observed in the two compartments. Immunoblot is a useful technique to demonstrate the local synthesis of antibodies in ocular toxoplasmosis by comparison of recognition patterns between serum and ocular fluids. Integration of immunoblot patterns allows quantification of antibodies specific for each Toxoplasma antigen in the two compartments.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Presumed acquired ocular toxoplasmosis in deer hunters.

PURPOSE: To describe acquired ocular toxoplasmosis in deer hunters. METHODS AND RESULTS: The authors describe five young men presenting with flu-like symptoms followed by visual loss due to a unilateral, focal necrotizing retinitis. All five men gave a history of ingesting undercooked or uncooked venison. All five had elevated toxoplasma serology, and all five improved clinically with an antitoxoplasma regimen. CONCLUSION: In previously healthy young men, flu-like symptoms associated with visual loss and retinitis should prompt questioning about hunting and raw game meat ingestion, especially when toxoplasmosis is suspected.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Optic nerve changes in ocular toxoplasmosis.

PURPOSE: To determine the prevalence and features of the different types of involvement of the optic nerve in ocular toxoplasmosis. METHODS: Retrospective cross-sectional study. All patients with active ocular toxoplasmosis, consulting in the Uveitis Section of the Ophthalmology Department were selected. The involvement of the optic nerve was classified in the following categories: juxtapapillary retinochoroiditis, pure papillitis, neuroretinitis, distant lesion, and mixed lesion. RESULTS: The prevalence of involvement of the optic nerve found was 5.3%. The optic nerve involvement with the presence of a concurrent active distant lesion, occurred in 22 eyes (43.1%). A juxtapapillary lesion was found in 18 eyes (35.3%). Eight eyes (15.7%) presented lesions characterised as mixed. Isolated papillitis occurred in 3 eyes (5.9%). Forty-seven lesions (95.9%) were unilateral and two (4.1%) were bilateral. Twenty-eight eyes (54.9%) had pre-existing lesions and 23 (45%) were primary lesions. Visual acuity improved in 35 eyes (71.4%) and remained unchanged in 14 eyes (28.5%). CONCLUSION: The involvement of the optic nerve most frequently found in ocular toxoplasmosis was optic nerve oedema with a concurrent distant active lesion. The second type of lesion most often found was juxtapapillary retinochoroiditis. Involvement was monocular in most cases and the visual prognosis was favourable.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Interleukin-10 and pathogenesis of murine ocular toxoplasmosis.

To understand the role of interleukin-10 (IL-10) in ocular toxoplasmosis, we compared C57BL/6 (B6) and BALB/c background mice lacking a functional IL-10 gene (IL-10(-/-)) and B6 transgenic mice expressing IL-10 under the control of the IL-2 promoter. Increased cellular infiltration and necrosis were observed in the eye tissue of IL-10(-/-) mice of both the B6 and BALB/c backgrounds with associated changes in the levels of cytokines in serum. In contrast, there was no evidence of necrosis in the eye tissue from IL-10 transgenic mice following parasite exposure. Our results demonstrate that IL-10 is important in the regulation of inflammation during acute ocular toxoplasmosis.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Survey of ophthalmologists about ocular toxoplasmosis.

PURPOSE: To investigate the number of patient visits to ophthalmologists in the United States that are associated with ocular toxoplasmosis, and to assess ophthalmologists' knowledge and treatment practices with regard to the disease. DESIGN: Written survey. METHODS: A random sample of 1000 US ophthalmologists was surveyed by mail in early 2002 by a questionnaire that was developed to collect information about physician demographics, and with regard to toxoplasmosis, number of patients seen, management practices, and knowledge about pathogenesis and risk factors. RESULTS: Among 478 respondents (48%), 261 (55%) indicated that they had seen one or more patients thought to have active toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis in the prior 2 years, and 445 (93%) indicated that they had seen one or more patients with inactive retinochoroidal scars thought to be inactive toxoplasmosis in the prior 2 years. There was a diversity of opinions regarding topics, including the timing of infection and risk factors for ocular involvement. Many ophthalmologists expressed uncertainty about questions regarding the disease. CONCLUSIONS: Ocular toxoplasmosis is associated with a substantial number of patient visits in the United States each year. A variable understanding of the disease indicates a need for continuing medical education regarding ocular toxoplasmosis.

Chorioretinitis↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Ocular toxoplasmosis.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Eye Diseases↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Reactivation of ocular toxoplasmosis in fellow unaffected eye.

PURPOSE: To report a case of reactivation of ocular toxoplasmosis in fellow unaffected eye. METHODS: Case report. RESULTS: A 15 year old girl, known to have right ocular toxoplasmosis previously, has presented with one week history of sudden left visual deterioration and pan uveitis. Her condition was improved on intensive steroid treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Reactivation of such lesion in fellow unaffected eye is quite rare. Various choices of treatment are available and there are also different techniques to treat. A review of treatment based on this pathology is briefly discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Early aqueous humor analysis in patients with human ocular toxoplasmosis.

To evaluate the diagnostic sensitivity of a panel of laboratory tests for ocular toxoplasmosis performed at the time of presentation, paired samples of aqueous humor and serum were collected from 49 consecutive episodes of ocular toxoplasmosis with a clinical course of less than 3 weeks. Total immunoglobulin G (IgG) and Toxoplasma gondii-specific IgG, IgM, and IgA were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The avidity of T. gondii-specific IgG was determined, and DNA extracted from aqueous humor was amplified for detection of a glycoprotein B gene sequence of T. gondii. The diagnosis was confirmed for 73% (36 of 49) of the patients; this rate rose to 79.5% if data from a later analysis of aqueous humor derived from five of the negative patients were included. The analysis of serum (detection of T. gondii-specific IgM and analysis of consecutive serum samples) alone did not contribute to the diagnosis. Calculation of local antibody production lacked diagnostic sensitivity when it was determined less than 3 weeks after the manifestation of clinical symptoms (28 of 49 patients [57%]), but this rose to 70% after an analysis of a second aqueous humor sample. The antibody avidity index attained diagnostic significance in only 8 of 43 instances (19%), and T. gondii DNA was amplified from no more than 6 of 39 (16%) aqueous humor samples. However, T. gondii-specific IgA was found within the aqueous humors of 11 of 43 patients (26%); measurement of the T. gondii-specific IgA level thus contributed substantially to the diagnostic sensitivity of the laboratory tests.

Animals↗