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Clinical Characteristics of Pediatric Patients with Ocular Toxocariasis in China
1Department of Ophthalmology, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
Insights
Pediatric ocular toxocariasis is common in preschool children in China, often presenting with severe symptoms like poor vision and inflammation. Early detection with Optomap 200Tx can improve visual outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Infectious Diseases
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Ocular toxocariasis is a parasitic infection affecting children.
- Understanding its clinical features in pediatric populations is crucial for timely diagnosis and management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the clinical characteristics of pediatric patients diagnosed with ocular toxocariasis.
- To evaluate diagnostic and treatment approaches for ocular toxocariasis in children.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 46 pediatric patients with ocular toxocariasis from Shanghai.
- Diagnosis confirmed via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) on serum/intraocular fluid.
- Clinical data and living habits collected through questionnaires.
Main Results:
- The mean age of onset was 6 years; 85% resided in rural areas with dog contact.
- Common signs included unilateral granuloma, vitritis, and tractional retinal detachment.
- Optomap 200Tx showed 85% sensitivity for granuloma detection; 39% required surgery.
Conclusions:
- Preschool children in China are disproportionately affected by ocular toxocariasis.
- Clinical manifestations are often severe, with significant visual impairment at presentation.
- Optomap 200Tx aids early detection, potentially improving visual prognosis.
Objective:
The aim of the study was to analyze the clinical characteristics of pediatric patients with ocular toxocariasis.
Methods:
Ocular toxocariasis was diagnosed and treated in 46 children from Shanghai and surrounding provinces. The diagnosis of ocular toxocariasis was confirmed immunologically by performing an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay on serum and/or intraocular fluid. All pediatric patients and their guardians completed a questionnaire concerning their cases and living habits.
Results:
The mean age of onset was 6 ± 3 years. Most children (85%) resided in rural areas, and 91% of the children had contact with adult dogs or puppies. At the first visit, visual acuity (VA) was <20/200 in 36 cases, and we detected peripheral granuloma in 36 patients. In our study, the most common signs were vitritis, vitreous strands, and tractional retinal detachment. The Optomap 200Tx device detected granuloma with an 85% sensitivity, which is much higher than that of other techniques. We treated 40 cases (87%) with topical corticosteroids, while 28 patients (61%) were treated with systemic corticosteroids. Only 18 children (39%) required surgical intervention. All patients were examined and treated by the same ophthalmologists.
Conclusions:
Preschool children in China are more often affected by toxocariasis compared with other age groups. The most common signs included unilateral granuloma and ocular inflammation. In our study, clinical manifestations were severe and complicated. At the first visit, VA was <20/200 in most patients. Ocular toxocariasis was diagnosed on the basis of clinical signs and symptoms; the diagnosis was confirmed by immunological testing. Techniques using the Optomap 200Tx device can facilitate the early detection and lead to better visual prognosis.
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