Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii and Toxocara canis among patients with uveitis

Ocul Immunol Inflamm. 2014 Oct;22(5):360-6. doi: 10.3109/09273948.2013.841491. Epub 2014 May 15.

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii and Toxocara canis in patients with uveitis.

Method: Patients with uveitis were examined. Serum antibodies to T. gondii and T. canis were tested by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was done using blood and aqueous humor (AH).

Results: 98 patients were enrolled. Mean age was 43.5 ± 13.2 years. Six patients were seropositive for T. gondii with the following pattern-anterior uveitis: 1; posterior uveitis with retinitis: 2; pan uveitis: 2. One patient had a positive result of PCR for T.gondii in AH, who showed pan uveitis. 23 patients were positive to serum IgG for T. canis with the following clinical manifestation-granuloma: 6; pigmented scar: 3; virtrits: 6-but none were PCR positive.

Conclusion: T.gondii and T.canis are still one of the important causes of uveitis. Ocular toxocariasis is not an uncommon cause of uveitis even in adult.

Keywords: Ocular toxocariasis; ocular toxoplasmosis; parasite; serologic test; uveitis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Helminth / analysis
  • Antibodies, Protozoan / analysis
  • Aqueous Humor / parasitology
  • Blotting, Western
  • DNA, Helminth / analysis
  • DNA, Protozoan / analysis
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Eye Infections, Parasitic / diagnosis
  • Eye Infections, Parasitic / epidemiology*
  • Eye Infections, Parasitic / parasitology
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Prevalence
  • Prospective Studies
  • Republic of Korea / epidemiology
  • Toxocara canis / genetics
  • Toxocara canis / immunology
  • Toxocara canis / isolation & purification*
  • Toxocariasis
  • Toxoplasma / genetics
  • Toxoplasma / immunology
  • Toxoplasma / isolation & purification*
  • Toxoplasmosis, Ocular / diagnosis
  • Toxoplasmosis, Ocular / epidemiology*
  • Toxoplasmosis, Ocular / parasitology
  • Uveitis, Posterior / diagnosis
  • Uveitis, Posterior / epidemiology*
  • Uveitis, Posterior / parasitology
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Antibodies, Helminth
  • Antibodies, Protozoan
  • DNA, Helminth
  • DNA, Protozoan