Use of PCR to diagnose Toxoplasma gondii chorioretinitis in eyes with severe vitritis.
Two cases are reported of intraocular inflammation in which severe vitritis hampered the fundal view, making an accurate clinical diagnosis impossible, and vitreous analysis using conventional techniques was unhelpful. PCR for Toxoplasma gondii was positive in both cases and provided the only way of confirming the diagnosis. Other ocular samples also underwent PCR for Toxoplasma DNA and the specificity of this approach is demonstrated.
Okhravi
Narciss
N
Department of Clinical Ophthalmology, Institute of Ophthalmology, Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, UK. nokhravi@doctors.org.uk
Jones
Colin D
CD
Carroll
Nora
N
Adamson
Peter
P
Luthert
Philip
P
Lightman
Susan
S
D000818:Animals; D002825:Chorioretinitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000469:parasitology; D016054:DNA, Protozoan / Q000032:analysis; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000469:parasitology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D014122:Toxoplasma / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D014123:Toxoplasmosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000469:parasitology; D014822:Vitreous Body / Q000469:parasitology*
D016054:DNA, Protozoan