title: Therapy for ocular toxoplasmosis--the future.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Treatment of ocular toxoplasmosis is aimed at stabilizing visual function and reducing recurrence rates.
  
  
  METHODS
  Small controlled studies indicate that available treatments do not affect visual outcome and recurrence rates, and no antibiotic in current use will kill bradyzoites.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Antiparasitic treatment is justified in center-involving lesions and in large aggressive lesions namely in South American patients. Antibiotic treatment is needed for disease in the immunosuppressed, and this needs to be systemic. There exists strong agreement that a monotherapy, using steroids, is contraindicated. Prophylactic antibiotics may reduce recurrence rates in endemic areas and immunosuppressed patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  An ideal therapeutic strategy includes the strain of parasite, localization of the lesion, and severity of the inflammatory response as a basis for therapeutic decision making. New treatments targeting aspects of the parasite s physiology are very promising. On a global scale, public health measures to prevent transmission from animals and to access potable water are required.
authors.affiliation: Swiss Eye Institute, University of Bern , Bern Switzerland. justus.garweg@swiss-eye-institute.com
authors.forename: Justus G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Garweg
authors.forename: Miles R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Stanford
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019072:Antibiotic Prophylaxis / Q000379:methods*; D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D014122:Toxoplasma / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D014126:Toxoplasmosis, Ocular / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014792:Visual Acuity
chemical_list: D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents