Posterior segment findings by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography and clinical associations in active toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis

Sci Rep. 2022 Jan 21;12(1):1156. doi: 10.1038/s41598-022-05070-9.

Abstract

Toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis is a common, potentially blinding parasitic infection. We sought to define the spectrum and frequency of signs of active toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis by spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT), and to identify clinical associations. Ninety eyes of 90 individuals presenting consecutively to a tertiary referral uveitis service with active toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis and gradable SD-OCT scans were evaluated prospectively. SD-OCT features were collated, and associations with lesion location, primary versus recurrent episode, serological status, human immunodeficiency virus infection and best-corrected Snellen visual acuity were explored. Active toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis presented with thickened (65%) and hyperreflective (61%) retina, choroidal thickening (55%) and hyporeflectivity (61%), hyperreflective vitreous dots (80%) and deposits (36%), and posterior hyaloid thickening (35%) on SD-OCT. Most signs occurred with similar frequency across clinical groups. Retinal hyporeflectivity (17%) was significantly associated with a visual acuity of 20/200 or worse at resolution. Our observations demonstrate that active toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis has diverse SD-OCT signs and that none are universally present. Retinal hyporeflectivity-suggesting liquefactive necrosis-predicts poor visual outcome.

Publication types

  • Observational Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Anti-Infective Agents / therapeutic use
  • Chorioretinitis / diagnosis*
  • Chorioretinitis / immunology
  • Chorioretinitis / parasitology
  • Drug Therapy, Combination / methods
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Posterior Eye Segment / diagnostic imaging*
  • Posterior Eye Segment / immunology
  • Tomography, Optical Coherence*
  • Toxoplasma / immunology
  • Toxoplasma / isolation & purification
  • Toxoplasmosis, Ocular / complications
  • Toxoplasmosis, Ocular / diagnosis*
  • Toxoplasmosis, Ocular / drug therapy
  • Toxoplasmosis, Ocular / immunology
  • Visual Acuity
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Anti-Infective Agents