[Ocular toxoplasmosis: our experience].

Ocular toxoplasmosis can be a progressive and recurring disease that can threaten visual function. Retinochoroiditis develops gradually weeks to years after subclinical congenital toxoplasmosis; this is the preponderant form, which is frequently bilateral; with healing, white or dark-pigmented scars may result. Toxoplasmosis acquired in older children and adults rarely progresses to retinochoroiditis; it is generally unilateral. We report the results of a clinical study concerning 16 patients with ocular toxoplasmosis observed for the first time in the period from 1992 to 2004 and followed up until today. The patients came to the Department of Infectious Diseases of the Second University of Naples. We studied 16 patients, 10 of whom were females; 11 cases presented ocular signs of congenital toxoplasmosis, while in 5 cases ocular impairment was related to an acquired toxoplasmosis. Only one case of congenital toxoplasma chorioretinitis was symptomatic at birth: it was complicated by microphthalmia and strabismus, calcifications in the brain and epilepsy; 10 congenital cases were asymptomatic at birth and were recognized after several years because of a reactivation of infection. In 5 patients congenital chorioretinitis was bilateral, with presence of scars in the contralateral eye. The 5 cases of acquired toxoplasma retinitis were ascertained by anamnestic, serologic and ophthalmologic examinations; in 4 of them the lesion was typical and unilateral; the 5th case was a 6-year-old boy with acquired toxoplasma bilateral neuroretinitis. 13/16 cases of ocular toxoplasmosis were treated with the combination of pyrimethamine, sulfadiazine; they were followed up and re-treated if necessary. The therapy was curative in each case. Our experience confirms that late-onset retinal lesions and relapse can occur many years after birth but that the overall ocular prognosis is satisfactory when congenital damage is recognized early and treated appropriately. Prevention of congenital and acquired toxoplasmosis is very important in controlling ocular toxoplasmosis.