title: [Long-term observations of ocular toxocariasis in children and youth].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the clinical status and ELISA test changes in a group of children with ocular toxocariasis.
  
  
  METHODS
  We enrolled 37 patients in the studies. The follow-up period lasted at least 3 years (3-15 years) after the diagnosis had been established. In all cases a complete ophthalmological examination and actual ELISA test were performed. We compared the clinical status in two groups of patients: one with positive and the other with negative ELISA test at the time of control examination.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In a majority of initially positive serological patients the control ELISA test for Toxocara canis antigen was negative. In these cases various post-inflammatory lesions in the anterior and posterior pole of the eye were present. In 8 cases the ELISA test was positive, despite the absence of active inflammatory process. In 5 serologically positive patients the active inflammation was observed. In more than 50% of cases the visual acuity was decreased.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Ocular toxocariasis is a long-lasting, severe type of uveitis that requires long treatment and causes dramatic visual impairment. ELISA test is a sensitive method indicating the intensity of inflammation in ocular toxocariasis.
authors.affiliation: Katedry I Kliniki Okulistyki Collegium Medicum UJ w Krakowie.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Krukar-Baster
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zygulska-Mach
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sajak-Hydzik
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kubicka-Trzaska
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dymon
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000818:Animals; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000379:methods*; D015822:Eye Infections, Parasitic / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007815:Larva Migrans / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012698:Serologic Tests; D017166:Toxocara canis / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D014787:Vision Tests; D014792:Visual Acuity