Ocular toxoplasmosis presenting as neuroretinitis: report of two cases.
BACKGROUND
Neuroretinitis is a clinical entity usually seen in young healthy adults, that is characterized by rapid profound unilateral loss of vision and includes optic nerve head edema, splinter hemorrhages, macular exudate in a stellate pattern, and variable vitreous inflammation. There are numerous entities that can cause a picture of neuroretinitis ranging from vascular to infectious to autoimmune.


METHODS
We report two patients with neuroretinitis, who presented with unilateral blurred vision and had serologic evidence of Toxoplasma gondii infection.


RESULTS
Both patients responded well to treatment with systemic antibiotics and corticosteroids. Visual acuity returned to 20/60 in one patient and 20/20 in the other.


CONCLUSIONS
Although the etiology is usually idiopathic, infectious causes of neuroretinitis, including toxoplasmosis, should be kept in mind in order to maintain visual acuity by early diagnosis and appropriate therapy.
Küçükerdönmez
Cem
C
Department of Ophthalmology, Başkent University, School of Medicine, 10. Sokak no:45 Bahçelievler, 06490 Ankara, Turkey.
Akova
Yonca A
YA
Yilmaz
Gürsel
G
D000818:Animals; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000097:blood; D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009902:Optic Neuritis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000469:parasitology; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012173:Retinitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000469:parasitology; D014122:Toxoplasma / Q000276:immunology; D014126:Toxoplasmosis, Ocular / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000469:parasitology; D015662:Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014792:Visual Acuity
D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan; D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents; D015662:Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination; D011239:Prednisolone