Ocular Toxocariasis: Epidemiologic, Anatomic, and Therapeutic Variations Based on a Survey of Ophthalmic Subspecialists

Woodhall, Dana M.; Starr, Michelle C.; Montgomery, Susan P.; Jones, Jeffrey L.; Lum, Flora; Read, Russell W.; Moorthy, Ramana S.

doi:10.1016/j.ophtha.2011.12.013

Cited by 106 publications

(78 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…Damage to vision occurs over days or weeks, with the location of the larvae, the extent of eosinophilia, and the possible development of a fibrotic granulomatous response determining the level of impairment. The presence of granulomas can result in blindness due to heterotopia and/or detachment of the macula and distortion (98,105).…”

Section: Ocular Toxocariasismentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This is especially important to prevent scarring in OT patients, which may lead to permanent vision loss; therefore, patients should be monitored closely by an ophthalmologist, and surgery may be required. For example, Woodhall et al (98) showed that cataracts are the second most common indication for surgical treatment (3 patients were treated with cataract surgery) in patients with ocular toxocariasis.…”

Section: Ocular Toxocariasismentioning

confidence: 99%

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Cerebral Toxocariasis: Silent Progression to Neurodegenerative Disorders?

et al. 2015

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SUMMARY Toxocara canis and T. cati are highly prevalent nematode infections of the intestines of dogs and cats. In paratenic hosts, larvae do not mature in the intestine but instead migrate through the somatic tissues and organs of the body. The presence of these migrating larvae can contribute to pathology. Toxocara larvae can invade the brains of humans, and while case descriptions of cerebral toxocariasis are historically rare, improved diagnosis and greater awareness have contributed to increased detection. Despite this, cerebral or neurological toxocariasis (NT) remains a poorly understood phenomenon. Furthermore, our understanding of cognitive deficits due to toxocariasis in human populations remains particularly deficient. Recent data describe an enhanced expression of biomarkers associated with brain injury, such as GFAP, AβPP, transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1), NF-L, S100B, tTG, and p-tau, in mice receiving even low doses of Toxocara ova. Finally, this review outlines a hypothesis to explore the relationship between the presence of T. canis larvae in the brain and the progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD) due to enhanced AD-associated neurodegenerative biomarker expression.

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Section: Ocular Toxocariasismentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Ocular Toxocariasismentioning

confidence: 99%

Cerebral Toxocariasis: Silent Progression to Neurodegenerative Disorders?

et al. 2015

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“…A clinical diagnosis of OT was made based on (1) typical clinical features of OT [1], [3], [4], (2) positive results by serologic testing, and (3) exclusion of other possible causes of granuloma such as ocular toxoplasmosis (absence of Toxoplasma -specific IgG and IgM), sarcoidosis (absence of hilar adenopathy or upper lobe disease on chest radiography, absence of skin lesions suggesting sarcoidosis, absence of hypercalcemia or nephrocalcinosis, and normal levels of angiotensin-converting enzyme), tuberculosis (negative results on interferon gamma release assays, absence of serpiginous choroiditis or retinal vasculitis suggesting ocular tuberculosis, and clinical response to topical/systemic steroid without anti-TB medication), and fungal infection (absence of disseminated fungal diseases, no history of penetrating ocular trauma or surgery within a 6-month period, absence of retinal hemorrhage, which is often observed in eyes with fungal infection but seldom observed in eyes with OT, and clinical response to topical/systemic steroid without anti-fungal agents). The typical clinical features of OT included the presence of a peripheral granuloma (focal, white peripheral nodule with pigmentary scarring or traction retinal detachment), posterior pole granuloma (focal, white nodule with or without posterior pole variable pigmentation), or nematode endophthalmitis (diffuse intraocular inflammation and serology results only positive for Toxocara ) [1], [3], [4].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Larvae that migrate to the eye cause ocular toxocariasis (OT), which is relatively uncommon and occurs primarily in children. They are most commonly infected through playground and sandbox where contaminated dirt and/or sand may be ingested because of playing habits and poor hygiene [1], [3], [4].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Clinical Features and Course of Ocular Toxocariasis in Adults

et al. 2014

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PurposeTo investigate the clinical features, clinical course of granuloma, serologic findings, treatment outcome, and probable infection sources in adult patients with ocular toxocariasis (OT).MethodsIn this retrospective cohort study, we examined 101 adult patients diagnosed clinically and serologically with OT. Serial fundus photographs and spectral domain optical coherence tomography images of all the patients were reviewed. A clinic-based case-control study on pet ownership, occupation, and raw meat ingestion history was performed to investigate the possible infection sources.ResultsAmong the patients diagnosed clinically and serologically with OT, 69.6% showed elevated immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels. Granuloma in OT involved all retinal layers and several vitreoretinal comorbidities were noted depending on the location of granuloma: posterior pole granuloma was associated with epiretinal membrane and retinal nerve fiber layer defects, whereas peripheral granuloma was associated with vitreous opacity. Intraocular migration of granuloma was observed in 15 of 93 patients (16.1%). Treatment with albendazole (400 mg twice a day for 2 weeks) and corticosteroids (oral prednisolone; 0.5–1 mg/kg/day) resulted in comparable outcomes to patients on corticosteroid monotherapy; however, the 6-month recurrence rate in patients treated with combined therapy (17.4%) was significantly lower than that in patients treated with corticosteroid monotherapy (54.5%, P = 0.045). Ingestion of raw cow liver (80.8%) or meat (71.2%) was significantly more common in OT patients than healthy controls.ConclusionsOur study discusses the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention strategies for OT. Evaluation of total IgE, in addition to anti-toxocara antibody, can assist in the serologic diagnosis of OT. Combined albendazole and corticosteroid therapy may reduce intraocular inflammation and recurrence. Migrating feature of granuloma is clinically important and may further suggest the diagnosis of OT. Clinicians need to carefully examine comorbid conditions for OT. OT may be associated with ingestion of uncooked meat, especially raw cow liver, in adult patients.

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“…1,2 Peripheral and posterior pole granulomas are typical retinal findings seen in ocular toxocariasis. 7,8 A fundus photograph of the index case shows granulomas in the retina periphery and a small one at the posterior pole. To the best of our knowledge there is no report of ocular infections transmitted from cats as pets in Nigeria.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Presumed ocular toxocara cati infection in Port Harcourt

Chukwuka

Fiebai

2018

Int J Community Med Public Health

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Toxocariasis is a zoonotic infection transmitted from animals to humans caused by parasitic round worms found in dogs and cats. Ocular toxocariasis is a rare condition caused by toxocara cati that can result in monocular loss of vision. We report an accidental finding of loss of vision in the right eye of a 39-year-old who decided to get an ocular examination following a routine prep talk in an outpatient clinic. Patient was asymptomatic and presenting best corrected visual acuity in the right eye was 6/60. Fundus examination revealed multiple discrete granulomas and a fatty liver revealed on abdominal scan. There is a positive history of living with cats while growing up. We presume this to be a case of toxocara cati. Regular ocular examinations in addition to general medical check-up should be encouraged in pet owners and those handling animals, as well as a high index of suspicion amongst ophthalmologists.

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Ocular Toxocariasis: Epidemiologic, Anatomic, and Therapeutic Variations Based on a Survey of Ophthalmic Subspecialists

Cited by 106 publications

References 25 publications

Cerebral Toxocariasis: Silent Progression to Neurodegenerative Disorders?

Cerebral Toxocariasis: Silent Progression to Neurodegenerative Disorders?

Clinical Features and Course of Ocular Toxocariasis in Adults

Presumed ocular toxocara cati infection in Port Harcourt

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