Therapy for ocular toxoplasmosis

Ocul Immunol Inflamm. 2011 Oct;19(5):314-20. doi: 10.3109/09273948.2011.608915.

Abstract

Purpose: To review current evidence for the treatment of ocular toxoplasmosis (OT).

Design: Narrative review and expert recommendations.

Methods: Meta-analysis and selected original articles from the medical literature were reviewed critically. Expert recommendations were analyzed.

Results: Numerous observational studies suggest a benefit of short-term antimicrobial therapy for toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis in immunocompetent patients, although its efficacy has not been proven in randomized clinical trials. A randomized clinical trial revealed that intermittent trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole treatment could decrease the rate of recurrence in high-risk patients. Intravitreal injection of clindamycin and dexamethasone was an acceptable alternative to the classic treatment for OT in a randomized clinical trial.

Conclusions: Opinions about therapy differ and controversy remains about its type, efficacy, and length. Intravitreal therapy may be promising for OT. A recent description of the presence of parasitemia in patients with active and inactive ocular toxoplasmosis raises new questions that need to be explored.

Publication types

  • Meta-Analysis
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Antiprotozoal Agents / therapeutic use
  • Clindamycin / therapeutic use
  • Dexamethasone / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Ophthalmic Solutions
  • Secondary Prevention
  • Toxoplasmosis, Ocular / drug therapy*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination / therapeutic use
  • Uveitis / drug therapy
  • Uveitis / parasitology

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Antiprotozoal Agents
  • Ophthalmic Solutions
  • Clindamycin
  • Dexamethasone
  • Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination