Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 26, 2026
Obtaining Highly Purified Toxoplasma gondii Oocysts by a Discontinuous Cesium Chloride Gradient
Published on: November 3, 2009
False Negative Toxoplasma Serology in an Immunocompromised Patient with PCR Positive Ocular Toxoplasmosis
Rehan Rajput1, Alastair K Denniston2, Philip I Murray1,3
1a Birmingham and Midland Eye Centre, City Hospital, Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust , Birmingham , UK.
Purpose:
The authors report a case of a 60-year-old Caucasian male with a background of treated Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia (CLL) with secondary hypogammaglobulinaemia present with toxoplasma chorioretinitis and negative serum toxoplasma serology on presentation and on subsequent reactivation.
Methods:
Retrospective case notes review with fundal photographs.
Results:
In this case, on initial presentation and on recurrence, the patient's serum anti-Toxoplasma IgG remained negative. The diagnosis was made on quantitative PCR of vitreous initially and aqueous humor on reactivation.
Conclusions:
Despite negative serology, one must still consider ocular toxoplasmosis especially in CLL patients where the clinical picture could be compatible. Hypogammaglobulinaemia, the inability to produce IgG antibodies, is a well-recognized complication of CLL. Intraocular fluid sampling is essential in these cases where the sensitivity of PCR on either aqueous or vitreous humor has been shown to be higher in immunocompromised patients.
More Related Videos
06:333-D Imaging and Analysis of Neurons Infected In Vivo with Toxoplasma gondii
Published on: December 9, 2014
11:21Forward Genetics Screens Using Macrophages to Identify Toxoplasma gondii Genes Important for Resistance to IFN-γ-Dependent Cell Autonomous Immunity
Published on: March 12, 2015