Toxoplasma Retinochoroiditis

Abstract

A virulent strain of Toxoplasma gondii was isolated from the subretinal fluid of the living eye of 1 of 7 patients with severe toxoplasma retinochoroiditis. This isolation proved that a virulent strain of living Toxoplasma organisms can cause this violent type of uveitis. The typical lesion was focal exudative retinochoroiditis with heavy exudation into the vitreous. All active lesions were treated with cryotherapy, and pyrimethamine (Daraprim - Burroughs Wellcome), sulfa, and corticosteroids were also used, except where medical therapy was contraindicated. In all cases, the focal exudative retinochoroiditis cleared more quickly following cryotherapy than would have been anticipated from medical therapy alone.