Intraocular cysts of toxoplasma gondii in patients with necrotizing retinitis following periocular/intraocular triamcinolone injection.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

To report the detection of Toxoplasma gondii cysts in intraocular aspirates of patients with necrotizing retinitis following periocular/intraocular corticosteroid injection.

DESIGN:

Case report.

METHODS:

Two patients (2 eyes) with widespread necrotizing retinitis in a steroid-exposed eye posed a diagnostic challenge and underwent pars plana vitrectomy (PPV). Intraocular samples (vitreous fluid, retinal tissue, and subretinal aspirate in case 1, and vitreous fluid in case 2) were subjected to cytological examination.

RESULTS:

The subretinal aspirate (case 1) revealed encysted bradyzoites of Toxoplasma gondii. Vitreous fluid (case 2) tested positive for anti-toxoplasma antibodies and the smear showed encysted forms of Toxoplasma gondii on cytology. CONCLUSION. Toxoplasma gondii cysts were detected in eyes with necrotizing retinitis that developed secondary to injudicious use of corticosteroids.

• Authors: Raje Nijhawan, Reema Bansal, Nalini Gupta, Nikhil Beke, Pandurang Kulkarni, Amod Gupta
• Journal: Ocular immunology and inflammation (Ocul Immunol Inflamm) Vol. 21 Issue 5 Pg. 396-9 (Oct 2013) ISSN: 1744-5078 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 23876183 (Publication Type: Letter)

Chemical References

• Antibodies, Protozoan
• Triamcinolone

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Animals
• Antibodies, Protozoan (analysis)
• Diagnosis, Differential
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Panuveitis (drug therapy)
• Retinitis (chemically induced, complications, surgery)
• Toxoplasma (immunology, isolation & purification)
• Toxoplasmosis, Ocular (complications, diagnosis, surgery)
• Triamcinolone (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Vitrectomy