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Fernández Zamora Y, Marinho PM, Dias JRO, Cabral T, Casoy J, Muccioli C, Nascimento H, Belfort R. Long-Term Low-Dose Pyrimethamine Use for the Prevention of Ocular Toxoplasmosis Recurrences: A Cohort Study. Ocul Immunol Inflamm 2024:1-6. [PMID: 38441575 DOI: 10.1080/09273948.2024.2321270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE To describe the effect of long-term, low-dose pyrimethamine for the prevention of ocular toxoplasmosis (OT) recurrences. METHODS Sixty-three consecutive patients with inactive ocular toxoplasmosis and positive toxoplasma IgG serology were included. Pyrimethamine (25 mg) + folinic acid (15 mg) were administered every other day (three times weekly) for 12 months. Eighteen patients received the treatment for an additional six months as part of an extension study. RESULTS Thirty-eight patients (60.3%, n = 63) were female; 38 (60.3%) had a previous history of recurrence and 37 (58.7%) had active OT within the preceding 12 months. Three (4.8%) patients had unilateral recurrences at 8, 12 and 18 months after starting intermittent pyrimethamine treatment. Five patients (7.9%) were discontinued due to hematological, renal and hepatic changes. Treatment was considered successful in 42 patients (84%). CONCLUSION Long-term, low-dose pyrimethamine can be considered as a treatment option for the prevention of ocular toxoplasmosis recurrence in selected patients, with only a few, mild and reversible systemic adverse events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuslay Fernández Zamora
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM), Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Paula M Marinho
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM), Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil
- Department of Ophthalmology, IPEPO - Vision Institute, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - João Rafael Oliveira Dias
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM), Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Thiago Cabral
- Department of Ophthalmology, IPEPO - Vision Institute, São Paulo, Brazil
- Department of Ophthalmology, Federal University of Espírito Santo, Vitória, Brazil
| | | | - Cristina Muccioli
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM), Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Heloisa Nascimento
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM), Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil
- Department of Ophthalmology, IPEPO - Vision Institute, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rubens Belfort
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM), Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil
- Department of Ophthalmology, IPEPO - Vision Institute, São Paulo, Brazil
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Goh EJH, Putera I, La Distia Nora R, Mahendradas P, Biswas J, Chee SP, Testi I, Pavesio CE, Curi ALL, Vasconcelos-Santos DV, Arora A, Gupta V, de-la-Torre A, Agrawal R. Ocular Toxoplasmosis. Ocul Immunol Inflamm 2023; 31:1342-1361. [PMID: 36095008 DOI: 10.1080/09273948.2022.2117705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2022] [Revised: 08/14/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Ocular toxoplasmosis is the leading cause of posterior uveitis worldwide, affecting individuals acrossdifferent age groups. The key to reducing vision loss includes prompt diagnosis and treatment. However, despite the prevalence of ocular toxoplasmosis, there has been little consensus regarding its pathophysiology,clinical features, diagnosis, and especially management. METHODS The data sources were literature reviews, including Pub Med and Medline databases. Search terms included toxoplasmosis, retinitis, vasculitis, vitritis, uveitis alone or in combination with, serum, aqueous, vitreous eye, ocular and review. RESULTS In this review paper, we have sought to provide an overview of the pathophysiology, epidemiology, and clinical features of the disease, both based on current literature and our own clinical experience. We have also discussed the use of serology, ocular fluid, and ophthalmic investigations that could further facilitate the diagnosis of ocular toxoplasmosis.Different management strategies have been reported worldwide, including newer approaches such as local therapy. CONCLUSION A better understanding of critical aspects of ocular toxoplasmosis will hopefully lead to reduced morbidity, including blindness associated with this condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eunice Jin Hui Goh
- National Healthcare Group Eye Institute, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore
| | - Ikhwanuliman Putera
- Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia - Cipto Mangunkusumo Kirana Eye Hospital, Jakarta, Indonesia
- Department of Immunology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Rina La Distia Nora
- Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia - Cipto Mangunkusumo Kirana Eye Hospital, Jakarta, Indonesia
- Department of Immunology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | | | - Soon-Phaik Chee
- Department of Ocular Inflammation and Immunology, Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore
- Department of Ophthalmology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Ophthalmology, Advanced Eye Centre, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
- Neuroscience Research Group (NEUROS), NeuroVitae Center, Escuela de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Ilaria Testi
- Moorfields Eye Hospital, NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | | | - Andre Luiz Land Curi
- Infectious Ophthalmology Laboratory, Evandro Chagas National Institute of Infectious Diseases-FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Daniel Vitor Vasconcelos-Santos
- Departamento de Oftalmologia e Otorrinolaringologia e Laboratório de Ciências Visuais, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
- Hospital São Geraldo, Hospital das Clínicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências da Saúde, Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Atul Arora
- Department of Ophthalmology, Advanced Eye Centre, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Vishali Gupta
- Department of Ophthalmology, Advanced Eye Centre, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Alejandra de-la-Torre
- Neuroscience Research Group (NEUROS), NeuroVitae Center, Escuela de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Rupesh Agrawal
- National Healthcare Group Eye Institute, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore
- Singapore Eye Research Institute, The Academia, Singapore
- Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences Academic Clinical Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
- Moorfields Eye Hospital, NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Singapore
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Cifuentes-González C, Rojas-Carabali W, Pérez ÁO, Carvalho É, Valenzuela F, Miguel-Escuder L, Ormaechea MS, Heredia M, Baquero-Ospina P, Adan A, Curi A, Schlaen A, Urzua CA, Couto C, Arellanes L, de-la-Torre A. Risk factors for recurrences and visual impairment in patients with ocular toxoplasmosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0283845. [PMID: 37011101 PMCID: PMC10069780 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0283845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/19/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ocular toxoplasmosis (OT) is caused by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii. OT is the leading cause of posterior uveitis globally; it is a recurrent disease that may result in visual impairment and blindness. This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to summarize and evaluate the risk factors for recurrences, visual impairment, and blindness described in the literature worldwide. METHODS AND FINDINGS We performed a systematic literature search in PubMed, Embase, VHL, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and DANS EASY Archive. All studies reporting patients with clinically and serologically confirmed OT presenting any clinical or paraclinical factor influencing recurrences, visual impairment, and blindness were included. Studies presenting secondary data, case reports, and case series were excluded. An initial selection was made by title and abstract, and then the studies were reviewed by full text where the eligible studies were selected. Then, the risk of bias was assessed through validated tools. Data were extracted using a validated extraction format. Qualitative synthesis and quantitative analysis were done. This study was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42022327836). RESULTS Seventy two studies met the inclusion criteria. Fifty-three were summarized in the qualitative synthesis in three sections: clinical and environmental factors, parasite and host factors, and treatment-related factors. Of the 72 articles, 39 were included in the meta-analysis, of which 14 were conducted in South America, 13 in Europe, four in Asia, three multinational, two in North America and Central America, respectively, and only one in Africa. A total of 4,200 patients with OT were analyzed, mean age ranged from 7.3 to 65.1 year of age, with similar distribution by sex. The frequency of recurrences in patients with OT was 49% (95% CI 40%-58%), being more frequent in the South American population than in Europeans. Additionally, visual impairment was presented in 35% (95% CI 25%-48%) and blindness in 20% (95% CI 13%-30%) of eyes, with a similar predominance in South Americans than in Europeans. On the other hand, having lesions near the macula or adjacent to the optic nerve had an OR of 4.83 (95% CI; 2.72-8.59) for blindness, similar to having more than one recurrence that had an OR of 3.18 (95% CI; 1.59-6.38). Finally, the prophylactic therapy with Trimethoprim/Sulfamethoxazole versus the placebo showed a protective factor of 83% during the first year and 87% in the second year after treatment. CONCLUSION Our Systematic Review showed that clinical factors such as being older than 40 years, patients with de novo OT lesions or with less than one year after the first episode, macular area involvement, lesions greater than 1 disc diameter, congenital toxoplasmosis, and bilateral compromise had more risk of recurrences. Also, environmental and parasite factors such as precipitations, geographical region where the infection is acquired, and more virulent strains confer greater risk of recurrences. Therefore, patients with the above mentioned clinical, environmental, and parasite factors could benefit from using prophylactic therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Cifuentes-González
- Neuroscience (NEUROS) Research Group, Neurovitae Center for Neuroscience, Institute of Translational Medicine (IMT), Escuela de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - William Rojas-Carabali
- Neuroscience (NEUROS) Research Group, Neurovitae Center for Neuroscience, Institute of Translational Medicine (IMT), Escuela de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Álvaro Olate Pérez
- Laboratory of Ocular and Systemic Autoimmune Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Érika Carvalho
- Clinical Research Laboratory of Infectious Diseases in Ophthalmogy, National Institute of Infectious Disease, INI-Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Felipe Valenzuela
- Laboratory of Ocular and Systemic Autoimmune Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Lucía Miguel-Escuder
- Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, Clinic Institute of Ophthalmology, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - María Soledad Ormaechea
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hospital de Clinicas Jose de San Martin, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires City, Argentina
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hospital Universitario Austral, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Milagros Heredia
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hospital de Clinicas Jose de San Martin, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires City, Argentina
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hospital Universitario Austral, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Pablo Baquero-Ospina
- Inflammatory Eye Disease Clinic, Dr. Luis Sanchez Bulnes" Hospital, Asociación para Evitar la Ceguera en México (APEC), Mexico City, CDMX, Mexico
| | - Alfredo Adan
- Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, Clinic Institute of Ophthalmology, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Red de Investigación en Inmunología Ocular de Latinoamérica (RIOLAT)
| | - Andre Curi
- Clinical Research Laboratory of Infectious Diseases in Ophthalmogy, National Institute of Infectious Disease, INI-Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Red de Investigación en Inmunología Ocular de Latinoamérica (RIOLAT)
| | - Ariel Schlaen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hospital de Clinicas Jose de San Martin, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires City, Argentina
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hospital Universitario Austral, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Red de Investigación en Inmunología Ocular de Latinoamérica (RIOLAT)
| | - Cristhian Alejandro Urzua
- Laboratory of Ocular and Systemic Autoimmune Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Red de Investigación en Inmunología Ocular de Latinoamérica (RIOLAT)
- Faculty of Medicine, Clinica Alemana-Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile
| | - Cristóbal Couto
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hospital de Clinicas Jose de San Martin, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires City, Argentina
- Red de Investigación en Inmunología Ocular de Latinoamérica (RIOLAT)
| | - Lourdes Arellanes
- Inflammatory Eye Disease Clinic, Dr. Luis Sanchez Bulnes" Hospital, Asociación para Evitar la Ceguera en México (APEC), Mexico City, CDMX, Mexico
- Red de Investigación en Inmunología Ocular de Latinoamérica (RIOLAT)
| | - Alejandra de-la-Torre
- Neuroscience (NEUROS) Research Group, Neurovitae Center for Neuroscience, Institute of Translational Medicine (IMT), Escuela de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
- Red de Investigación en Inmunología Ocular de Latinoamérica (RIOLAT)
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Duraffour P, Mehanna C, Hoogewoud F, Touboul A, Monnet D, Brézin AP. Comparison between the areas of scarred and active toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis. Eye (Lond) 2021; 35:2733-2739. [PMID: 33235345 PMCID: PMC8452670 DOI: 10.1038/s41433-020-01290-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2020] [Revised: 11/02/2020] [Accepted: 11/04/2020] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES To assess the ratio of scarred/active areas of fundus lesions in patients with presumed ocular toxoplasmosis. SUBJECTS/METHODS Retrospective monocentric study of patients with presumed ocular toxoplasmosis seen between May 2004 and February 2018. Patients with a positive anti-Toxoplasma serology presenting characteristic fundus lesions. Cases with images of both baseline active and scarred lesions of the fundus were included. The borders of each active or scarred lesion were delineated on colour photographs by two independent observers and the area of the lesions was calculated using Digimizer 4.2.2 (MedCalc Software, Ostend, Belgium). The interobserver variability of the measures was recorded and their means were used for further calculations. To study the ratio of the area of scarred retinochoroiditis over the area of the baseline active lesion (R). RESULTS A total of 171 cases (83 males, 88 females) with a mean age of 31.6 ± 13.8 years were included. The average areas of active and scarred retinochoroiditis were, respectively, 1.32 ± 1.59 and 1.79 ± 2.36 optic disc area. The average ratio between scarred and active areas of retinochoroiditis was 1.36 [range 0.54-2.18]. The administration of a systemic treatment [R = 1.25, p = 0.003], the absence of a pre-existing scar [R = 1.05, p < 0.001] and a peripapillary location of the lesion [R = 0.85, p < 0.001] were each significantly associated with smaller scarred/active area ratios. CONCLUSIONS We assessed in a standardized manner the ratio of scarred/active areas of toxoplasmic lesions and showed that the area of scarred lesions was on average slightly larger than the area of active retinochoroiditis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre Duraffour
- grid.411784.f0000 0001 0274 3893Service d’ophtalmologie, Hôpital Cochin, Assistance Publique – Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris, France ,grid.508487.60000 0004 7885 7602Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Chadi Mehanna
- grid.411784.f0000 0001 0274 3893Service d’ophtalmologie, Hôpital Cochin, Assistance Publique – Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris, France ,grid.412134.10000 0004 0593 9113Département de biostatistiques, Hôpital Necker-Enfants Malades, Assistance Publique – Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Florence Hoogewoud
- grid.411784.f0000 0001 0274 3893Service d’ophtalmologie, Hôpital Cochin, Assistance Publique – Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris, France ,grid.508487.60000 0004 7885 7602Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Arnaud Touboul
- grid.411784.f0000 0001 0274 3893Service d’ophtalmologie, Hôpital Cochin, Assistance Publique – Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Dominique Monnet
- grid.411784.f0000 0001 0274 3893Service d’ophtalmologie, Hôpital Cochin, Assistance Publique – Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris, France ,grid.508487.60000 0004 7885 7602Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Antoine P. Brézin
- grid.411784.f0000 0001 0274 3893Service d’ophtalmologie, Hôpital Cochin, Assistance Publique – Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris, France ,grid.508487.60000 0004 7885 7602Université de Paris, Paris, France
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Feliciano-Alfonso JE, Muñoz-Ortiz J, Marín-Noriega MA, Vargas-Villanueva A, Triviño-Blanco L, Carvajal-Saiz N, de-la-Torre A. Safety and efficacy of different antibiotic regimens in patients with ocular toxoplasmosis: systematic review and meta-analysis. Syst Rev 2021; 10:206. [PMID: 34275483 PMCID: PMC8287816 DOI: 10.1186/s13643-021-01758-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2020] [Accepted: 07/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ocular toxoplasmosis (OT) is the most common cause of posterior uveitis, which leads to visual impairment in a large proportion of patients. Antibiotics and corticosteroids lower the risk of permanent visual loss by controlling infection and inflammation. However, there remains disagreement regarding optimal antibiotic therapy for OT. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis were performed to determine the effects and safety of existing antibiotic treatment regimens for OT. METHODS MEDLINE, EMBASE, The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, LILACS, WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform portal, ClinicalTrials.gov, and Gray Literature in Europe ("OpenGrey") were searched for relevant studies; manual searches of reference lists were performed for studies identified by other methods. All published and unpublished randomized controlled trials that compared antibiotic schemes known to be effective in OT at any dosage, duration, and administration route were included. Studies comparing antibiotics with placebo were excluded. This review followed standard methodological procedures recommended by the Cochrane group. RESULTS Ten studies were included in the narrative summary, of which four were included for quantitative synthesis (meta-analysis). Interventions were organized into three groups: intravitreal clindamycin versus pyrimethamine + sulfadiazine, trimethoprim + sulfamethoxazole versus other antibiotics, and other interventions. The first comparison favored intravitreal clindamycin (Mean difference (MD) = 0.10 logMAR; 95% confidence interval = 0.01 to 0.22). However, this finding lacks clinical relevance. Other outcomes showed no statistically significant differences between the treatment groups. In general, the risk of performance bias was high in evaluated studies, and the quality of the evidence found was low to very low. CONCLUSIONS No antibiotic scheme was superior to others, and the selection of a treatment regimen depends on multiple factors; therefore, treatment should be chosen based on safety, sulfa allergies, and availability.
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Affiliation(s)
- John E Feliciano-Alfonso
- Departamento de Medicina Interna, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Juliana Muñoz-Ortiz
- NeURos Research Group, Escuela de Medicina Y Ciencias de La Salud, Universidad del Rosario, Carrera 24 # 63 C 69, Bogotá, Colombia
- Escuela Superior de Oftalmología-Instituto Barraquer de América, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - María Alejandra Marín-Noriega
- NeURos Research Group, Escuela de Medicina Y Ciencias de La Salud, Universidad del Rosario, Carrera 24 # 63 C 69, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Andrés Vargas-Villanueva
- NeURos Research Group, Escuela de Medicina Y Ciencias de La Salud, Universidad del Rosario, Carrera 24 # 63 C 69, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Laura Triviño-Blanco
- NeURos Research Group, Escuela de Medicina Y Ciencias de La Salud, Universidad del Rosario, Carrera 24 # 63 C 69, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Natalia Carvajal-Saiz
- NeURos Research Group, Escuela de Medicina Y Ciencias de La Salud, Universidad del Rosario, Carrera 24 # 63 C 69, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Alejandra de-la-Torre
- NeURos Research Group, Escuela de Medicina Y Ciencias de La Salud, Universidad del Rosario, Carrera 24 # 63 C 69, Bogotá, Colombia.
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Ikeda M, Baba T, Aikawa Y, Yotsukura J, Yokouchi H, Yamamoto S. Case of Macular Hole Secondary to Ocular Toxoplasmosis Treated Successfully by Vitrectomy with Inverted Internal Limiting Membrane Flap. Case Rep Ophthalmol 2021; 12:363-368. [PMID: 34054485 PMCID: PMC8136329 DOI: 10.1159/000514910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2020] [Accepted: 01/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
We report a case of ocular toxoplasmosis that developed a full-thickness macular hole (FTMH) which was successfully treated by pars plana vitrectomy combined with an inverted internal limiting membrane (ILM) flap. A 49-years-old Japanese man was aware of blurred vision in his right eye. Slit-lamp biomicroscopy, ophthalmoscopy, and optical coherence tomography (OCT) of the right eye showed that there was a grayish-white subretinal lesion at the macula accompanied by retinal exudation and mild vitreous flare and iritis. An increase in the level of serum IgM for toxoplasma led to a diagnosis of ocular toxoplasmosis. He developed a FTMH adjacent to the lesion 2 weeks after administering sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim, and his decimal visual acuity was 0.15. Because the FTMH remained 3 months after the resolution of inflammation and his metamorphopsia persisted, vitrectomy with an inverted ILM flap was performed. After the surgery, the visual acuity improved to 0.2 with the closure of the FTMH confirmed by OCT. A FTMH in an eye with ocular toxoplasmosis was successfully closed by vitrectomy with an inverted ILM flap.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mizuki Ikeda
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba, Japan
| | - Takayuki Baba
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba, Japan
| | - Yuri Aikawa
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba, Japan
| | - Jiro Yotsukura
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba, Japan
| | - Hirotaka Yokouchi
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba, Japan
| | - Shuichi Yamamoto
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba, Japan
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Treatment Strategy in Human Ocular Toxoplasmosis: Why Antibiotics Have Failed. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10051090. [PMID: 33807871 PMCID: PMC7961948 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10051090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2021] [Revised: 02/28/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: There is currently no clear evidence of the effectiveness of antibiotic therapy in acute ocular toxoplasmosis (OT), but its effect as a secondary prophylaxis is undisputed. The majority of uveitis specialists advocate treatment. This meta-analytic review aims to critically analyze determinants of treatment success and to update current treatment strategies for OT in order to explain this discrepancy. Methods: A systematic literature search was performed in NCBI/PubMed, Clinical Trials, Google Scholar and ScienceDirect to retrieve pro- and retrospective studies using the key terms “ocular toxoplasmosis” or “retinochoroiditis” and “immunocompetent” and “treatment” or “therapy” and “human.” Of these, larger case series and prospective clinical studies and cross references identified from meta-analyses were selected by a manual search, and primary and secondary outcome parameters were extracted. Results: Ten case series and clinical trials reported success parameters for treatment outcomes, and four additional for recurrence prophylaxis. Five treatment studies were randomized clinical trials, three comparative and two noncomparative case series. Though several outcome parameters were reported, five of them defined time to healing, four visual gain and one lesion size as primary and secondary outcome parameters, recurrence rate as a secondary outcome parameter was reported once. No conclusive evidence was found for an antibiotic treatment effect. Four prophylaxis studies addressed the prevention of recurrences after treatment. The primary outcome in all studies was the effect of treatment and prophylaxis on recurrences, and all four found a significant effect on the risk of and time to recurrences. Conclusions: Antibiotic treatment of OT aims at controlling parasite proliferation. The absence of an effect on visual acuity and time to healing is thus not surprising. The fact that time to and number of recurrences respond to recurrence of prophylaxis proves the antibiotic effect on parasite activity.
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Comment on: Long-term Results of Trimethoprim Sulfamethoxazole Versus Placebo to Reduce the Risk of Recurrent Toxoplasma gondii Retinochoroiditis. Am J Ophthalmol 2020; 220:216-217. [PMID: 33097176 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajo.2020.07.054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Borkowski PK, Brydak-Godowska J, Basiak W, Olszyńska-Krowicka M, Rabczenko D. Adverse Reactions in Antifolate-Treated Toxoplasmic Retinochoroiditis. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2019; 1108:37-48. [PMID: 30191431 DOI: 10.1007/5584_2018_262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/18/2023]
Abstract
This study seeks to define factors affecting the development of adverse reactions to intensive therapy of toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis with antifolate agents (pyrimethamine/sulfadoxine) and antibiotics followed by secondary antifolate prophylaxis. The study was of retrospective and observational nature. Medical files were reviewed of 551 patients suffering from ocular toxoplasmosis during 1994-2013. All patients were treated with the same protocol: 3-week intensive pyrimethamine/sulfadoxine plus antibiotic/steroid therapy. Three hundred and fourteen out of the 551 patients qualified for the subsequent 6-month long secondary antifolate prophylaxis. The type and occurrence rate of adverse reactions were taken into account. The probability of an adverse reaction during the intensive therapy phase was 33.4%. Hypertransaminasemia was the most common event observed in 24.6% of the patients, but it assumed a severe character in just 0.9%, with male gender and age over 25 years being the predisposing factors. Less common adverse effects included thrombocytopenia (8.3%), hypersensitivity skin reactions (3.0%), and abdominal pain (1.4%). The adverse effects of secondary antifolate prophylaxis, most commonly hypersensitivity skin reactions and hypertransaminasemia, followed by thrombocytopenia and abdominal pain, were observed in 4.9% of the patients. Ten of them (2.7%) had to discontinue the treatment while eight others continued with pyrimethamine alone without further adverse effects, which suggests that discontinuation of the sulfonamide decreased the propensity for adverse reactions. The treatment strategy in these patients differed from previous reports in that it used lower doses of pyrimethamine/sulfonamide, with no folinic acid supplementation. Nonetheless, the rate and severity of adverse events were no greater than those noticed with traditional regimens, with higher antifolate doses and folinic acid supplementation. We conclude that the dose and drug-mitigated treatment strategy we employed deserves consideration as a promising alternative to traditional treatments for ocular toxoplasmosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piotr K Borkowski
- Department of Infectious, Tropical Diseases and Hepatology, Warsaw Medical University, Warsaw, Poland. .,Department of Zoonoses and Tropical Diseases, Warsaw Medical University, Warsaw, Poland.
| | | | - Wojciech Basiak
- Department of Zoonoses and Tropical Diseases, Warsaw Medical University, Warsaw, Poland.,Enel-med, Medical Center, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Maria Olszyńska-Krowicka
- Department of Infectious, Tropical Diseases and Hepatology, Warsaw Medical University, Warsaw, Poland.,Department of Zoonoses and Tropical Diseases, Warsaw Medical University, Warsaw, Poland.,Hospital for Infectious Diseases, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Daniel Rabczenko
- Department-Center for Monitoring and Analyses of Population Health Status, National Institute of Public Health - National Institute of Hygiene, Warsaw, Poland
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10
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Ben-Harari RR, Connolly MP. High burden and low awareness of toxoplasmosis in the United States. Postgrad Med 2019; 131:103-108. [PMID: 30638425 DOI: 10.1080/00325481.2019.1568792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis, a disease with diverse clinical manifestations, caused by infection with the Apicomplexan parasite, Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii), is a major source of morbidity and mortality in the United States. Although toxoplasmosis prevalence and mortality have declined over the past two decades, the CDC considers this disease a neglected parasitic infection requiring public health action. Here, we overview the literature to bring attention to the prevalence of the disease in the United States, and high economic burden associated with the disease. The conclusions to be drawn are clear: there is low awareness and underestimation of the disease burden amongst healthcare professionals; a high economic burden associated with the disease; relapse rates to treatment represent additional mortality and morbidity and further costs for the healthcare system; and better treatments are necessary to combat this public health threat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruben R Ben-Harari
- a Department of Medical Affairs , Vyera Pharmaceuticals , New York , NY , USA
| | - Mark P Connolly
- b Unit of PharmacoEpidemiology & PharmacoEconomics, Department of Pharmacy , University of Groningen , Groningen , The Netherlands.,c Global Market Access Solutions , Mooresville , NC , USA
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11
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Treatment of Toxoplasmosis: Historical Perspective, Animal Models, and Current Clinical Practice. Clin Microbiol Rev 2018; 31:31/4/e00057-17. [PMID: 30209035 DOI: 10.1128/cmr.00057-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 240] [Impact Index Per Article: 40.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Primary Toxoplasma gondii infection is usually subclinical, but cervical lymphadenopathy or ocular disease can be present in some patients. Active infection is characterized by tachyzoites, while tissue cysts characterize latent disease. Infection in the fetus and in immunocompromised patients can cause devastating disease. The combination of pyrimethamine and sulfadiazine (pyr-sulf), targeting the active stage of the infection, is the current gold standard for treating toxoplasmosis, but failure rates remain significant. Although other regimens are available, including pyrimethamine in combination with clindamycin, atovaquone, clarithromycin, or azithromycin or monotherapy with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) or atovaquone, none have been found to be superior to pyr-sulf, and no regimen is active against the latent stage of the infection. Furthermore, the efficacy of these regimens against ocular disease remains uncertain. In multiple studies, systematic screening for Toxoplasma infection during gestation, followed by treatment with spiramycin for acute maternal infections and with pyr-sulf for those with established fetal infection, has been shown to be effective at preventing vertical transmission and minimizing the severity of congenital toxoplasmosis (CT). Despite significant progress in treating human disease, there is a strong impetus to develop novel therapeutics for both the acute and latent forms of the infection. Here we present an overview of toxoplasmosis treatment in humans and in animal models. Additional research is needed to identify novel drugs by use of innovative high-throughput screening technologies and to improve experimental models to reflect human disease. Such advances will pave the way for lead candidates to be tested in thoroughly designed clinical trials in defined patient populations.
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12
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Zhang Y, Lin X, Lu F. Current treatment of ocular toxoplasmosis in immunocompetent patients: a network meta-analysis. Acta Trop 2018; 185:52-62. [PMID: 29704469 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2018.04.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2017] [Revised: 04/14/2018] [Accepted: 04/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Ocular toxoplasmosis (OT) is the most frequent form of infectious posterior uveitis caused by the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii. To evaluate the available evidence in peer-reviewed publications about the most effective therapy for OT in immunocompetent patients, herein a systematic literature search was conducted using Embase, PubMed, Google Scholar, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) database from January 1987 to October 2017, with search terms "OT", "retinochoroiditis", "treatment", and "immunocompetent"; search filters "controlled clinical trial", "randomized clinical trial", and "clinical trial". The included studies were performed to evaluate the various treatment modalities of OT. Different treatment regimens were compared with regard to the improvement of visual acuity, the resolution of vitreous inflammation, recurrence, and side-effects. We independently extracted data and assessed eligibility and risk of bias using the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis, and resolved any disagreement through discussion. A Bayesian network meta-analysis model was used to evaluate the interesting outcomes of all the interventions. Total 10 trials of treatments for OT were found to meet the inclusion criteria. Six trials of treatments including clindamycin, azithromycin, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) were compared with conventional therapy (the combination of pyrimethamine, sulfadiazine, and corticosteroids) for evaluation of the effect on visual acuity, vitreous inflammation, recurrence of OT, and side-effects. Two trials were compared TMP-SMX with placebo. One trial was compared azithromycin with TMP-SMX. And another trial was compared among treatments with clindamycin, P-S, TMP-SMX, and placebo. Based on our network meta-analysis, therapy with TMP-SMX seems to be an alternative treatment of OT in immunocompetent patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanxia Zhang
- Department of Parasitology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China; Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control (Sun Yat-sen University), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China; Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Biological Vector Control, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China
| | - Xiao Lin
- Department of Medical Statistics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China
| | - Fangli Lu
- Department of Parasitology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China; Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control (Sun Yat-sen University), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China; Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Biological Vector Control, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China.
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Abstract
Introduction Approximately a third of the population worldwide is chronically infected with Toxoplasma gondii. Pyrimethamine-based regimens are recommended for the treatment of toxoplasmosis. Objective The aim was to evaluate the safety profile of pyrimethamine-based treatment for the three main Toxoplasma manifestations: toxoplasmic encephalitis (TE), ocular toxoplasmosis, and congenital toxoplasmosis. Methods PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar databases were searched through August 1, 2016. Randomized, observational, prospective/retrospective, and cohort studies were eligible. Thirty-one studies were included with a total of 2975 patients. Of these, 13 were in congenital toxoplasmosis (n = 929), 11 in ocular toxoplasmosis (n = 1284), and seven in TE (n = 687). Across manifestations, adverse event (AE)-related treatment discontinuation and/or change in therapy involved ≤37% of patients and occurred in >55% of studies: 100% for ocular toxoplasmosis, 57.1% for TE, and 61.5% for congenital toxoplasmosis. The most commonly observed AEs were bone marrow suppression, dermatologic, and gastrointestinal (GI). The prevalence of bone marrow suppression-related AEs was ≤50% in congenital toxoplasmosis, ≤42.7% in TE, and ≤9.0% in ocular toxoplasmosis. The frequency of GI and dermatologic AEs were ≤100 and ≤11.1%, respectively, for ocular toxoplasmosis, ≤10.7 and ≤17.9% for TE, and ≤10.8 and ≤2.1% for congenital toxoplasmosis. Steven–Johnson syndrome was reported in two patients with ocular toxoplasmosis and one with TE. Conclusion The AE profile associated with pyrimethamine-based treatments differed by each manifestation of toxoplasmosis and within a given manifestation. Hematologic AEs occurred across all manifestations indicating the importance of monitoring the blood of patients administered pyrimethamine-based regimens.
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