Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii and Toxocara canis among Patients with Uveitis. (April 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lim, Su Jin; Lee, Sang Eun; Kim, Sun Hyun; Hong, Sung-Hee; You, Yong Sung; Kwon, Oh Woong; Kim, Hyeun Seung
• Is Part Of: Ocular immunology and inflammation. Volume 23:Number 2(2015)
• Page Start: 111
• Page End: 117
• Publication Date: 2015-04
• Subjects: Eye -- Diseases -- Immunological aspects -- Periodicals; Eye -- Inflammation -- Periodicals; 617.7
• DOI: 10.3109/09273948.2013.839798
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0927-3948

Abstract

<abstract> <title>Abstract</title> <p> <italic>Purpose</italic>: To investigate the prevalence of <italic>Toxoplasma gondii</italic> and <italic>Toxocara canis</italic> in patients with uveitis.</p> <p> <italic>Methods</italic>: Patients with uveitis were examined. Serum antibodies to <italic>T. gondii</italic> and <italic>T. canis</italic> were tested by using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was done using blood and aqueous humor (AH).</p> <p> <italic>Results</italic>: Ninety-eight patients were enrolled. Mean age was 43.5 ± 13.2 years. Six patients were seropositive for <italic>T. gondii</italic> with the following pattern: anterior uveitis, 1; posterior uveitis with retinitis, 2; pan uveitis, 2. One patient had a positive PCR result for <italic>T. gondii</italic> in AH, who showed panuveitis. Twenty-three patients were positive to serum IgG for <italic>T. canis</italic> with the following clinical manifestation: granuloma, 6; pigmented scar, 3; vitritis, 6—but none were PCR positive.</p> <p> <italic>Conclusions</italic>: <italic>T. gondii</italic> and <italic>T. canis </italic>are still important causes of uveitis. Ocular toxocariasis is not an uncommon cause of uveitis, even in adults.</p> </abstract>