Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 26, 2026

06:33
3-D Imaging and Analysis of Neurons Infected In Vivo with Toxoplasma gondii
Published on: December 9, 2014
Toxoplasmosis: new challenges for an old disease
B Bodaghi1, V Touitou, C Fardeau
1Department of Ophthalmology, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Paris, France. bahram.bodaghi@psl.aphp.fr
Eye (London, England)
|January 7, 2012
Summary
Toxoplasma gondii causes ocular disease, primarily retinochoroiditis. New therapeutic strategies are emerging to manage this infection and prevent vision loss from relapses.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Infectious Diseases
- Parasitology
Background:
- Toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis is a leading cause of posterior uveitis globally.
- The parasite Toxoplasma gondii manipulates the host immune response, leading to varied lesions and relapses.
- Most infections are acquired postnatally, influenced by parasite genotype and host immunity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To address critical issues in the optimal management of ocular toxoplasmosis.
- To review current diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for Toxoplasma-induced retinochoroiditis.
- To highlight the need for updated therapeutic approaches to prevent vision loss.
Main Methods:
- Clinical diagnosis based on characteristic features.
- Confirmation using biological tools on ocular fluids.
- Review of existing and emerging therapeutic options.
Main Results:
- Diagnosis relies on clinical presentation, often supported by laboratory tests.
- Treatment remains challenging due to limited evidence-based data on antiparasitic drugs.
- Newer strategies with favorable safety profiles offer potential for earlier intervention and relapse reduction.
Conclusions:
- Optimal management of ocular toxoplasmosis requires addressing diagnostic and therapeutic challenges.
- Early intervention with novel strategies may reduce sight-threatening relapses.
- Revisiting therapeutic options is crucial for long-term visual function maintenance.
Related Concept Videos
Diversity of Protists II
Alveolates are a group of organisms recognized by the presence of alveoli, which are cytoplasmic sacs located beneath the cell membrane. While their function remains uncertain, alveoli may help regulate water balance by controlling how much water enters and leaves the cell. In dinoflagellates, these structures may serve as armor plates. There are three major types of alveolates: ciliates, which move using cilia; dinoflagellates, which use flagella for movement; and apicomplexans, which are...
Infectious Diseases and Their Occurrence
Infectious diseases appear in populations through various transmission patterns, influenced by pathogen characteristics, population immunity, environmental conditions, and social behavior. Understanding these patterns is essential for effective public health surveillance and intervention. These categories—sporadic, outbreak, epidemic, pandemic, and endemic—help frame the nature and scope of disease events.Sporadic diseases occur irregularly and infrequently, without a predictable temporal or...
Toxidromes: Clinical Features
Toxidromes are specific patterns of symptoms resulting from toxic substance exposure. They help in the identification and treatment of poisoning. The symptoms of each toxidrome group indicate poisoning by a certain class of chemicals or drugs.1. Sympathomimetic: Stimulates the sympathetic nervous system. Symptoms include agitation, increased heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP), respiratory rate (RR), temperature, and pupil size. Drugs like cocaine and amphetamines, along with tremors and...
Retrovirus Life Cycles
Retroviruses have a single-stranded RNA genome that undergoes a special form of replication. Once the retrovirus has entered the host cell, an enzyme called reverse transcriptase synthesizes double-stranded DNA from the retroviral RNA genome. This DNA copy of the genome is then integrated into the host’s genome inside the nucleus via an enzyme called integrase. Consequently, the retroviral genome is transcribed into RNA whenever the host’s genome is transcribed, allowing the retrovirus to...