title: Intravitreal bevacizumab (Avastin) as primary and rescue treatment for choroidal neovascularization secondary to ocular toxoplasmosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Treatment modalities for choroidal neovascularization due to ocular toxoplasmosis include laser photocoagulation, surgery, corticosteroids, and verteporfin therapy. Intravitreal injection of bevacizumab in the treatment of choroidal neovascularization due to other conditions appears to be an effective and safe therapeutic option.
  
  
  METHODS
  We report two young patients with choroidal neovascularization secondary to ocular toxoplasmosis who received a single intravitreal injection of bevacizumab as primary or rescue therapy. After a follow-up of 12 and 10 months, respectively, visual acuity improved, and features of active neovascularization resolved with no recurrence. No adverse events were recorded.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Intravitreal injection of bevacizumab appears to be an effective and safe treatment modality in patients with choroidal neovascularization secondary to ocular toxoplasmosis. Further evaluation with a longer follow-up period is needed to confirm these findings.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Fattouma Bourguiba University Hospital, Monastir 5019, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Salim
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ben Yahia
authors.forename: Carl P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Herbort
authors.forename: Salah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jenzeri
authors.forename: Kamel
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hmidi
authors.forename: Sonia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Attia
authors.forename: Riadh
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Messaoud
authors.forename: Moncef
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Khairallah
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D020256:Choroidal Neovascularization / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005654:Fundus Oculi; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence; D014126:Toxoplasmosis, Ocular / Q000150:complications* / Q000151:congenital / Q000175:diagnosis; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D014822:Vitreous Body
chemical_list: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D000068258:Bevacizumab