Ocular toxocariasis: atypical clinical course

BMJ Case Rep. 2019 Apr 4;12(4):e228717. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2018-228717.

Abstract

A 17-year-old man presented to the emergency department with complaints of retro-orbital pain of the left eye and an altitudinal visual field defect for 2 weeks. Fundus examination revealed ipsilateral hyperaemic optic disc oedema, and the patient was admitted with the presumptive diagnosis of left optic neuritis. Subsequently, during follow-up, the patient developed a retinal granulomatous lesion in the superior temporal arcade with vitritis and fibrotic strands extending to the mid-periphery. Serum antibodies detection by ELISA and aqueous humour immunoblot were positive for Toxocara canis Medical therapy with albendazole and oral steroids was instituted with satisfactory results. One year later, a new macular lesion developed with consequent vision loss.

Keywords: macula; retina.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Albendazole / administration & dosage
  • Animals
  • Anthelmintics / administration & dosage
  • Antibodies, Helminth / blood
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Eye Infections, Parasitic / diagnosis*
  • Eye Infections, Parasitic / drug therapy
  • Glucocorticoids / administration & dosage
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Methylprednisolone / administration & dosage
  • Recurrence
  • Retinal Artery / diagnostic imaging
  • Toxocara canis / isolation & purification
  • Toxocariasis / diagnosis*
  • Toxocariasis / drug therapy

Substances

  • Anthelmintics
  • Antibodies, Helminth
  • Glucocorticoids
  • Albendazole
  • Methylprednisolone