Ocular Toxocariasis: Beyond Typical Patterns through the New Imaging Technologies

Ocul Immunol Inflamm. 2021 Nov 17;29(7-8):1252-1258. doi: 10.1080/09273948.2020.1793370. Epub 2020 Aug 24.

Abstract

Purpose: To report five cases of ocular Toxocariasis (OT) in which ultrawide-field (UWF) imaging was helpful in diagnosis and assessment. OT is an underdiagnosed condition triggered by the ocular invasion of Toxocara larvae. Typical features are peripheral granuloma or endophthalmitis.

Methods: A retrospective case series of 10 outpatients were studied by complete ophthalmologic examination and complementary tests. UWF retinal imaging, fundus autofluorescence (FAF) and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SDOCT) were retrospectively analyzed. Five patients with suspected OT were included.

Results: UWF imaging and FAF was able to detect all retinal lesions in a single rapid capture. Two patients showed positive serology for Toxocara. An image suggesting the larva in the vitreous cavity was shown in one patient. Antihelmintic 15 treatment along with steroids was prescribed in two patients.

Conclusion: UWF imaging and SDOCT provide a more efficient approach and follow-up in OT, raising final standards of care.

Keywords: Uveitis; advantages; ocular toxocariasis; toxocara; wide field.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Antibodies, Helminth / blood
  • Endophthalmitis / diagnostic imaging
  • Eye Infections, Parasitic / diagnostic imaging*
  • Female
  • Granuloma / diagnostic imaging
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Optical Imaging
  • Retinal Diseases / diagnostic imaging*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Slit Lamp Microscopy
  • Tomography, Optical Coherence
  • Tonometry, Ocular
  • Toxocariasis / diagnostic imaging*
  • Visual Acuity / physiology

Substances

  • Antibodies, Helminth