Angiographic findings in eyes with active ocular toxoplasmosis

Clinical findings in 5 cases of active ocular toxoplasmosis were documented by fluorescein angiography. The diagnosis was based upon the ophthalmoscopic findings of white, fluffy, retinal exudative lesions with or without overlying vitreous inflammatory cells, and positive serologic tests for toxoplasma and responsiveness to clindamycin therapy. Three cases were considered as recurrent ocular toxoplasmosis and the other 2 cases, acquired ocular toxoplasmosis. Angiographic characteristics of these 5 cases of acute ocular toxoplasmosis consisted of the following: 1) hypofluorescence in the center of the hyperfluorescent lesion, 2) black silhouette of the artery corresponding to the arterial occlusion traversing the necrotic lesion, 3) venous dilation, venous wall staining and dye leakage from the vein, 4) optic disc staining and dye leakage. These angiographic findings reflect either tissue necrosis or hypersensitivity reaction and are helpful in the correct and prompt diagnosis of acute ocular toxoplasmosis.