Related Experiment Videos
Clindamycin in the treatment of toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis
Abstract:
We treated 26 patients with acute toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis with clindamycin between 1974 and 1982. Four patients were treated with clindamycin alone and 17 with clindamycin and prednisolone. Five patients received clindamycin and prednisolone, sulfadiazine, pyrimethamine, or cryocoagulation, or a combination of these. All patients with the acute disease had the characteristic foci and a positive titer on the Sabin-Feldman dye test of at least 1:16. Other causes of retinochoroiditis were excluded. All but two patients, who developed diarrhea after two weeks, received clindamycin for a minimum of three weeks. All patients improved after two weeks of treatment, but two patients with lesions larger than 2 disk diameters required an additional six weeks of treatment to heal completely. During follow-up periods ranging from 18 months to seven years (mean, three years) there have been only two recurrences (7.7%). Complications with clindamycin treatment were limited to gastrointestinal upsets, diarrhea, and skin rash. There were no cases of pseudomembranous colitis, the most serious reported complication of clindamycin use.
Insights
Clindamycin effectively treated acute toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis in 26 patients, with most improving within two weeks. This antibiotic showed a low recurrence rate and minimal side effects, making it a viable treatment option.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Infectious Diseases
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Acute toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis is an ocular infection requiring effective treatment.
- Previous treatments may have limitations or significant side effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy and safety of clindamycin in treating acute toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 26 patients treated with clindamycin (alone or in combination) between 1974 and 1982.
- Patients had confirmed acute toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis with characteristic lesions and positive serology.
- Treatment duration was a minimum of three weeks, with follow-up ranging from 18 months to seven years.
Main Results:
- All patients showed improvement within two weeks; two required extended treatment for larger lesions.
- A low recurrence rate of 7.7% was observed during a mean three-year follow-up.
- Adverse effects were primarily gastrointestinal (diarrhea) and skin rash; no cases of pseudomembranous colitis occurred.
Conclusions:
- Clindamycin is an effective and safe treatment for acute toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis.
- The drug demonstrates a favorable safety profile with minimal serious complications.
- Long-term follow-up indicates a low risk of disease recurrence after clindamycin treatment.