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[Diagnosis of toxocariasis in uveitis in children]
Vestnik Oftalmologii
|January 1, 1991
Insights
Toxocara canis antibodies were found in two children with uveitis. These findings suggest ocular toxocariasis as a potential cause of unexplained uveitis in children.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Infectious Diseases
- Parasitology
Background:
- Uveitis in children often presents with unknown etiology, necessitating comprehensive diagnostic approaches.
- Chronic infections, including parasitic infections like toxocariasis, are considered potential causes of pediatric uveitis.
Observation:
- A cohort of 17 children aged 2 to 13 with uveitis of unknown origin underwent screening for chronic infections.
- Specific serological testing for Toxocara canis antibodies was performed.
Findings:
- Antibodies to Toxocara canis were identified in two pediatric patients.
- These two patients had negative results for toxoplasmosis, tuberculosis, and herpes/cytomegaloviral infections.
- One patient presented with panuveitis, and the other with granulomatous chorioretinitis, both clinically indicative of ocular toxocariasis.
Implications:
- This study highlights the importance of considering ocular toxocariasis in the differential diagnosis of pediatric uveitis.
- Early detection and treatment of toxocariasis can potentially prevent severe visual impairment in affected children.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the prevalence and clinical spectrum of ocular toxocariasis in pediatric populations.
Abstract:
Seventeen children aged 2 to 13, suffering from uveitis of unknown etiology, were screened for chronic infections, toxocariasis included. Antibodies to Toxocara canis were detected in the blood of two children with negative results of tests for toxoplasmosis, tuberculosis, herpetic and cytomegaloviral infections. One of these two suffered from panuveitis, the other from granulomatous chorioretinitis. Both the clinical forms are characteristic of ocular toxocariasis.