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Ocular toxocariasis in a North Indian population
Bijay Ranjan Mirdha1, Sudershan Kumar Khokar
1Department of Microbiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India. mirdhabr@hotmail.com
Journal of Tropical Pediatrics
|January 11, 2003
Summary
Ocular toxocariasis, a parasitic eye infection, was diagnosed in 17% of young patients under 15. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay detected anti-Toxocara antibodies, confirming the parasitic infection in these individuals.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Infectious Diseases
- Parasitology
Background:
- Ocular toxocariasis is a parasitic infection of the eye caused by the nematode Toxocara.
- Clinical manifestations include posterior pole granuloma, peripheral granuloma, uveitis, endophthalmitis, and optic neuritis.
- Accurate diagnosis is crucial for appropriate management and preventing vision loss.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of anti-Toxocara antibodies in patients with suspected ocular toxocariasis.
- To determine the diagnostic utility of serological testing in this patient population.
Main Methods:
- Serum samples were collected from 68 patients aged 1-30 years with clinical suspicion of ocular toxocariasis.
- Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was employed to detect specific anti-Toxocara antibodies.
- Control sera from patients with other helminthic diseases were included for comparison.
Main Results:
- Anti-Toxocara antibodies were detected in 11 (17%) patients younger than 15 years.
- Three (4%) patients older than 15 years also tested positive for anti-Toxocara antibodies.
- No cross-reactivity was observed with sera from patients with other helminthic infections.
Conclusions:
- Serological testing for anti-Toxocara antibodies is a valuable diagnostic tool for ocular toxocariasis, particularly in younger individuals.
- The findings highlight the importance of considering toxocariasis in the differential diagnosis of various intraocular inflammatory conditions.
- Further research may elucidate the specific clinical presentations associated with seropositivity in different age groups.