The First Case of Trypanosoma cruzi–Associated Retinitis in an Immunocompromised Host Diagnosed With Pan-Organism Polymerase Chain Reaction

Abstract

We report the first case of Trypanosoma cruzi-associated retinitis diagnosed using 28s ribosomal DNA sequencing. The case highlights the utility of broad-range molecular diagnostics for detecting rare and unsuspected ocular pathogens. Ocular involvement in Chagas disease is also discussed.

A Review of Ocular Drug Delivery Platforms and Drugs for Infectious and Noninfectious Uveitis: The Past, Present, and Future

“…This is balanced by the risk of local side effects with prolonged or repeated corticosteroid therapies currently available. With more sensitive and specific diagnostic tools for both noninfectious and infectious uveitides becoming available to identify pathways and pathogens not previously known to cause uveitis, targeted therapy will likely become more commonplace [ 44 , 45 , 119 , 120 ]. As such, the expansion of targeted corticosteroid delivery and increasing array of non-steroidal treatments, administered both locally and systemically will likely expand our treatment armamentarium.…”

“…To compound matters, there are unfortunately no systemic antibiotics designed specifically to penetrate/treat infections of the eye. Additionally, there has been a paucity of resources dedicated to antibiotic development despite the emergence of rare and resistant pathogens isolated from the eye and elsewhere [ 44 , 45 , 46 ]. Hopefully in the future, more systemic antibiotics with better bioavailability within ocular tissues will become readily available.…”

Retinal Whitening After Lung Transplant for Cystic Fibrosis

“…Infectious causes of retinitis include herpes viruses, Can- dida, ocular manifestations of HIV, toxoplasmosis, and less commonly, syphilis, tuberculosis, and rare case reports of other agents and noninfectious mimickers. 1,2 The rapid progression (during 2-3 weeks) was inconsistent with noninfectious causes, and a drugresistant herpes virus seemed unlikely with negative PCR results and ongoing antiviral therapy. Continuing current therapy despite deterioration was unlikely to have a meaningful effect on the disease because it had failed to do so thus far, and continued administration may have led to retinal toxicity or intraocular complications, making choice B a poor choice.…”

Noninvasive Biological Samples to Detect and Diagnose Infections due to Trypanosomatidae Parasites: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…Surprisingly, reports on eye pathology in CD patients are very scarce. Recently, the first case of Trypanosoma cruzi-associated retinitis was diagnosed [283]. The presence of T. cruzi amastigotes in the conjunctiva, corneal stroma, the adjacent ocular muscle, and the interstitial macrophages of Thrichomys apereoides (Rodentia, Echimyidae) experimentally infected with T. cruzi has been documented [284].…”