Ocular Toxoplasmosis Mimicking Lymphoma: Exploring the Correlation and Distinction

Cureus. 2021 Jan 30;13(1):e13014. doi: 10.7759/cureus.13014.

Abstract

We present a case of a 74-year-old woman with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) who presented with unilateral blurry vision that had progressively worsened over a few weeks. Ophthalmic examination revealed unilateral anterior chamber, vitreous body inflammation along with retinal infiltration which was initially diagnosed with posterior uveitis. Analysis of vitreous fluid aspiration was negative for bacteria, fungal and viral etiologies. Despite the broad-spectrum intraocular antibiotics, her vision continued to decline, and she later developed retinal detachment. Cytology for lymphoma was negative. However, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with internal transcribed spacer-specific (ITS) primer set detected Toxoplasma gondii, and the patient was diagnosed with intraocular toxoplasmosis. Treatment with systemic clindamycin, pyrimethamine, leucovorin, prednisone, and topical clindamycin for four weeks successfully prevented further ocular damage.

Keywords: b-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (b-cll); ocular lymphoma; ocular toxoplasmosis; posterior uveitis; primary central nervous system lymphoma; primary intraocular lymphoma; toxoplasma gondii.

Publication types

  • Case Reports